Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) has snapped up NorthAmerican rights on 'Persepolis,Marjane Satrapi's comic book autobiography set in Iran' during theIslamic Revolution.''

Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud adapted and areco-directing the project 'about an outspoken nine-year-old girl whoselove-hate relationship' with her homeland eventually forces her intopermanent exile.

''Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve,Danielle Darrieux and Simon' Abkarian provide the voice talent in theFrench-language version and' an English version will also be recorded.''

Marc-Antoine Robert and Xavier Rigault of 2.4.7. Filmsare producing' Persepolis, which started filminglast October and is expected to wrap' in April 2007.''

Kathleen Kennedy of the Kennedy/Marshall Company servesas executive' producer in association with France 3 Cinema.''

Celluloid Dreams is selling international rights hereand Diaphana'holds French rights.''

"Marjane Satrapi's book is a major work that hasenlighted millions' worldwide," SPC co-presidents Michael Barker andTom Bernard said.

"We' are confident Marjane will transformher book into a movie that is 'timely, personal, political, andtechnologically on the cutting edge."