Admit it, an animated film (mainly in black and white) about a girl growing up in Iran doesn't sound like a crowd pleaser, does it? And there wasn't a crowd to please this afternoon.

It is however a treat - in turns funny and depressing, and putting some issues about Iran clearer in my mind. Based on a graphic novel, it is animation for adults.

Marjane 'Marji' Satrapi, the author whose story it tells, does not paint herself as perfect but rather as a normal teenager - which was probably pretty difficult in Iran in the 1980's. It doesn't shy away from death and torture, and also shows the casual reaction of children to these things.

If you've got 90 minutes to spare - give it a try.