Persepolis

We found ourselves veiled and separated from our friends.

I really didn’t know what to think about the veil. Deep down I was very religious but as a family we were very modern and avant-garde.

I wanted to be justice, love, and the wrath of God all in one.

“The Revolution is like a bicycle. When the wheels don’t turn, it falls.”

As for me, I love the King, he was chosen by God.

“You know, my child, since the dawn of time, dynasties have succeeded each other but the kings always kept their promises. The Shah kept none.”

“All the country’s money went into ridiculous celebrations of the 2500 years of dynasty and other frivolities…all of this to impress heads of state; the population couldn’t have cared less.”

The reason for my shame and for the revolution is the same: the difference between social classes

“You must understand that their love was impossible…because in this country you must stay within your own social class.”

“As long as there is oil in the middle east we will never have peace.”

My father was not a hero, my mother wanted to kill people…so I went out to play in the street.

“Our family memory must not be lost. Even if it’s not easy for you, even if you don’t understand it all.”

I wanted to be an educated, liberated woman…and so another dream went up in smoke.

It wasn’t only the government that changed. Ordinary people changed too.

“The real Islamic invasion has come from our own government.”

War always takes you by surprise.

“I wish he were alive and in jail rather than dead and a hero.”

“To have the Iraqis attack, and to lose in an instant everything you had built over a lifetime, that’s one thing…but to be spat upon by your own kind, it is intolerable!”

“Our country has always known war and martyrs, so, like my father said: ‘When a big wave comes, lower your head and let it pass!’”

“Now is the time for learning. You have your whole life to have fun!...In this country you have to know everything better than anyone else if you’re going to survive!!”

“To die a martyr is to inject blood into the veins of society.”

“If [people] hurt you, tell yourself that it’s because they’re stupid. That will help keep you from reacting to their cruelty. Because there is nothing worse than bitterness and vengeance…Always keep your dignity and be true to yourself.”