PERSEPOLIS BANNED IN LEBANON

PERSEPOLIS BANNED IN LEBANON

Oscar-nominated animated movie PERSEPOLIS has been banned in Lebanon. Authorities in the Middle Eastern country claim the film, about a young girl growing up during the 1979 Iranian revolution, presents a distorted image of Muslims in Iran. Lebanese officials say they've banned the movie, which is based on the autobiographical graphic novel by co-director Marjane Satrapi, because they want to avoid potentially offending any pro-Iranian elements in Lebanon, including political and paramilitary opposition organisation Hezbollah. However, Persepolis' distributors Front Row Entertainment are still hoping the film will be granted a DVD release in the country. The company's Gianluca Chacra says, "They (Lebanese authorities) want to stay on the safe side and not create any more friction. We're still hoping for a DVD release in Lebanon."