Satrapi Adapts Her Own Comic for the Screen

Marjane Satrapi left her native Iran at age 14 and experienced a turbulent youth in Europe. Her autobiographical comic, depicting her dramatic life, has been translated into 30 languages and became a bestseller. In 2007, she directed "Persepolis," which won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, a first for an animated film in 30 years. She is currently one of the most closely watched female artists in the world.

Now, she has taken on the challenge of adapting her own comic into a live-action film. The original comic, "Chicken with Plums," won the Angoulême International Comics Festival's Best Work Award, considered the most prestigious award in European comics. The completed film has created a charming buzz at film festivals worldwide, starting with the Venice Film Festival, followed by Toronto and San Francisco, and has finally arrived in Japan.

The role of the genius musician Nasser Ali is played by the esteemed French actor Mathieu Amalric. Furthermore, his mother is portrayed by Isabella Rossellini, and the object of Nasser Ali's lifelong devotion, Irane, is played by Golshifteh Farahani, a leading Iranian actress. These muses from across borders and regions add their brilliance to the film. The co-director, as with "Persepolis," is comic artist Vincent Paronnaud.

Unfulfilled Love is the Most Beautiful

After his wife breaks his beloved violin, rendering him unable to produce the same sound, the genius musician Nasser Ali decides to die. Lying in bed, awaiting death, he reflects on his life: his youth, when his master scolded him, "You have the technique, but your sound is empty"; his golden age, when he found his true sound and achieved immense popularity; his loveless marriage, his greatest mistake; the death of his mother, whom he feared most and cherished above all else; his beloved Sophia Loren; his favorite dish, chicken with plums; and the unfulfilled love that still tears at his heart. On the eighth day, as death finally approaches, the secret behind Nasser Ali's legendary sound, which will bring tears to all who hear it, is revealed.—.



The final eight days of a violinist. Before his eternal departure, the last dream he sees is a memory of a torn love. This is a tender love story for adults who know that unfulfilled love is the most beautiful.



Chicken with Plums: The Last Dream of Violinist
Nationwide Roadshow Begins Saturday, November 10th
Director/Screenplay | Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud
Starring | Mathieu Amalric, Maria de Medeiros, Isabella Rossellini, Chiara Mastroianni
Distribution | Gaga
2011 / France, Germany, Belgium Co-production / 92 min
http://chicken.gaga.ne.jp