Los gatos persas

Sorry for my bad English, this movie is a super master piece luxury filmed in scope in Iran (I can't understand how they did it), about repressed people who want to make a techno pop concert in Teheran. the movie is incredibly sad but no boring at all. How could they film such a "transgressive" movie in the same country with that bizarre, boring and unpresentable president and goberment is a mystery for us.

Iran is a completely different example of what we think as "moshlim" country. People there have been always the best cultured and intellectual people in the region and this movie shows perfectly the anguish they are suffering after the tiranic dictature of this crazy clown, who rules him in such a despotic way.

Then I want to know...was this movie filmed in Iran? How they did it?

This movie confirmed and strengthened my optimistic vision that Iran will be the place where the Middle East will start healing itself. It also reinforced my dream that maybe one day I'll be able to visit this amazing country and meet its wonderful people . Now I also know there will be great music to listen to. The movie emphasizes the connections of the Iranians to their own land as well as their desire to open up to the rest of the world. That, to me, is the key to planetary healing everywhere, and there's no better force than music to help bring that about.

O.A. from Israel

If you saw 'Heavy Metal In Baghdad' a couple of years ago, you'll know that it is near impossible to be a rock & roll musician in an country that is ruled by Islamic law. Bahman Ghobadi's grim,but fine film,'Kasi az gorbehaye Irani khabar nadareh',released in English speaking countries as 'No One Knows About Persian Cats' will certainly cement that reputation. Filmed on the fly in something like 17 days, without official government say so (which actually did land some of the crew in jail),with borrowed camera equipment (most,if not all films shot in Iran have to be filmed with official government equipment). The results:the film is officially banned in Iran (big surprise?---no surprise,what so ever). The story concerns a cadre of young Iranians who want to form a band to rock out & bring joy to fellow young Iranians (heavens forbid!!!). Most of the film centers on Negar Shaghaghi & Ashkan Koshanejad (playing themselves),two budding indie rockers who form a band with the hopes of playing a big open air festival in London,England (and to get the hell out of Iran,forever). With the help of Nadar (played by Hamed Behdad),a kindly,but not too trust worthy sort who wants to act as manager of the band (he deals in bootlegged/pirated DVD's),tries to get Visas & Passports for everybody in the band. Will Negar & Ashkan see their hopes come to some sort of fruition,or will government censorship of popular culture throw the usual roadblock in their way?. Bahman Gobadi (A Time For Drunken Horses),in addition to directing,co writes the screenplay with his girl friend,Roxanne Saben (who was recently released from a jail sentence for spying),as well as set designer. I admired the film's documentary look (key scenes are shot with hand held cameras),with some fast cut editing. A film to get your dander up & make you think (and pity)the poor souls who have to deal with the daily dose of government b.s. Spoken in Farsi & Persian with English subtitles. Not rated by the MPAA,this film contains a bit of drug abuse,and a couple of unfortunate deaths

Once in a while comes along a movie which transcends the medium's boundaries and sets new standards. Bahman Ghobadi's remarkable and riveting new film is one of these rare examples. Made in only 17 days and without a permit, "Persian Cats" is guerrilla film making at its best. It is a faux-documentary, in style of Kiarostami's Close-Up & Panahi's Offside, about the underground music scene in Iran. It is really about the universal power of music and the passion of the youth which know no boundaries. We see that Iranian musicians go to any lengths to defy censorship and restrictions to play their music. They do not need concert halls. They play anywhere: from metro stations to cow sheds and for anyone who wants to listen. Music and lyrics for the young Iranians has become a desperate, but at the same time powerful, means of expression and communication with the world at large. The music played in the film is very powerful and its range is quite remarkable. We see bands playing jazz, pop, heavy metal, rap and singing in both Farsi and English. Ghobadi's film manages to convey all the passion, energy, anger and hope that is contained in these music. It is a brave, and undoubtedly controversial film (specially with the the two leads seeking asylum in the west and Kiarostami denouncing the film), made with so much passion that the viewers can not remain unmoved. It is masterfully directed and photographed and brilliantly edited. A masterpiece which is certain to become another milestone in the history of Iranian and world cinema. Absolutely unmissable.

I must begin my review that the film's title is absolutely appropriate to the entire story. It's sad to know how talented people in Iran are forced to shelter their love for music and film. Throughout the film Negar and her band make various efforts to embark overseas in order to showcase their musical genius. This film clearly shows how anyone and everyone who is Iranian are looking for freedom outside Iran (even if they are blind). Iran not only restricts your talent but also your vision.

What I liked the most about the entire film-making is that sad and negative characters such as police and Islamic police were covered away from the screen which was not visual. Hence this film is in a clear war with the negative energy that lurks in Iran, which in all its free creative power pushes away the sinners (in this case the police or the Islamic police).

The film's soundtrack is excellent and worth listening to. The soundtrack covers all the genres from Rock to R&B. If you are a lover of international independent art film production, then you will appreciate all the hard work put in by the films cast and crew.

PS. I watched this film in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and I was all alone in the cinema.

My score: 9 out of 10

Neeil Bhatia