As political warriors line up to demonise Iran, the world view of its citizens is once more rendered black and white. It is therefore appropriate that Marjane Satrapi's feature animation adapted from her graphic novel should be largely made up of bold, blocky, black-and-white drawings. With her co-writer/co-director Vincent Paronnaud, Satrapi has created one of the most poignant and affecting animated features in years.

Persepolis tells the story of a young girl growing up during the Islamic Revolution - a time when fundamentalist "social guardians" took control and imposed a new civil order. Nine-year-old Marjane is a precocious youngster who manages to outwit law enforcers and express her liberal values (including a fondness for ABBA and Iron Maiden) until her uncle is senselessly murdered by the new regime. When Iraqi bombs begin to fall, she is sent to Austria for a safe education. While adolescence makes wary inroads, Marjane's heart remains with her family in Iran.

Flanked by France's favourite daughter, Satrapi earned a long and tearful standing ovation when Persepolis screened at Cannes last year. A stroke of casting genius, Catherine Deneuve stars opposite her own daughter, Chiara Mastroianni, as Marjane's mother in a role that defines the film. For if it is about anything, Persepolis is about the universal desire for compassion and communication. Yet it is also smart enough to avoid tumbling into the gaping holes that open up around such potential clichs. Coupled with resilient humour, this is a superior tale that speaks of the greater truths that bind us all. It does so with sparkling wit and daring imagination, and is a stunning odyssey through personality and politics that underlines our commonality. Deceptively simple, and astonishingly good, Persepolis is unlike anything you've seen before.