Marjane Satrapi Wins 2024 Princess of Asturias Foundation Award for Communication and Humanities

Marjane Satrapi: A Champion of Human Rights and Freedom

MADRID, November 7, 2024 - Marjane Satrapi, the renowned Iranian-French filmmaker and cartoonist, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Princess of Asturias Foundation award for communication and humanities, as announced by the Spanish organization on Tuesday.

Champion of Human Rights

The foundation hailed Satrapi as "an essential voice in the defense of human rights and freedom," recognizing her significant contributions to these crucial causes. The judges lauded her as "a symbol of civic engagement led by women," highlighting her remarkable advocacy for societal progress.

Influential Cultural Figure

Furthermore, they emphasized Satrapi's impact, describing her as "one of the most influential individuals in the dialogue between cultures and generations," attributing this to her boldness and extensive artistic endeavors.

Notable Works

Satrapi is widely known for her monochromatic autobiographical comic book and film "Persepolis," which presents a compelling coming-of-age narrative amidst the backdrop of the Islamic Revolution in her native Iran. Her repertoire also includes graphic novels such as "Broderies" ("Embroideries") and "Poulet aux prunes" ("Chicken with plums"), both of which have been adapted into films. As a filmmaker, she has helmed various projects, including "La Bande des Jotas" ("The Gang of Jotas") and "Radioactive" ("Madame Curie"), a biopic chronicling the life of the Polish physicist Marie Curie.

Accolades and Recognition

Notably, "Persepolis" clinched the Film Critics Grand Prix at the Cannes Festival in 2007 and the César Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2008, along with an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature in 2008.

Biographical Background

According to the foundation's biographical note, Satrapi was born in Rasht, Iran. Due to the prevailing extremism in the aftermath of the 1979 Revolution, her parents sent her to Vienna in 1983 to continue her studies. Following this, she pursued her education at the School of Fine Arts in Tehran before relocating to France in 1994, where she furthered her studies in Strasbourg and later settled in Paris.

Advocacy Efforts

In 2023, she spearheaded the publication of the book "Femme, vie, liberté" ("Woman, Life, Freedom") in collaboration with a collective of artists and academics, shedding light on the uprisings in Iran subsequent to the tragic killing of Mahsa Amini in 2022, perpetrated by the so-called "morality police." The foundation underscored that the publication serves as a poignant denouncement of the repression and human rights violations endured by Iranian society, particularly women, under the regime.

Accolades and Achievements

Adding to her accolades, Satrapi was elected as a member of the French Academy of Fine Arts in 2024, further solidifying her esteemed status within the artistic community.

Prestigious Recognition

The 50,000-euro ($54,000) award represents one of eight prizes presented annually by the Asturias foundation, encompassing fields such as arts, social sciences, and sports. These awards are ceremoniously bestowed each autumn in the northern city of Oviedo by Princess Leonor of Spain, in whose honor the foundation is named.

It is worth noting that the communication and humanities award was previously bestowed upon the late Italian author and philosopher Nuccio Ordine in the preceding year, underscoring the esteemed company in which Satrapi now rightfully resides.