Les chats persans

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

Music speaks a universal language and is one that cannot be chained by any form of oppression. It is this fact that is highlighted ever so poignantly by Bahman Ghobadi, in this heart breaking story of the travails of the aspiring independent musicians of Iran. Effortlessly encompassing various genres like rock, jazz, metal and rap into its soundtrack, neatly blended in with breathtakingly beautiful camera-work of the many worlds in Tehran, it gives us a glimpse into the struggle of the youth seeking the freedom of expression. There is also a sense of frustration and anguish while watching the lengths to which the characters have to go to be able to pursue their passion, and that is sensitively captured in a way, that makes your heart go out for them. The performances are natural and unencumbered by the demands of formal acting, and the songs and lyrics are delightfully fresh and evocative. The story which though narrated in the documentary style, is never taxing at any point, and would transport even the most cynical of viewers on a journey of hope and a quest for freedom and release. But in the end, it is the elegant simplicity with which the director deals with a serious, complex issue that really makes this film stand out. This is truly good cinema at many levels and is certainly worth every minute of the time you spend with it.

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?

Though tied together with a narrative string, this is really a largely humorous guided tour of the popular music scene in Iran and the blind idiocy of current restrictions and censorship. As usual in such circumstances, corruption thrives within local administration and the dictates of rigid ideology can be avoided by greasing the right palms or knowing the right people. The joke is that the musicians, though passionate and brilliant are not extreme political militants, they're more Bob Seger than Bob Dylan and their ambitions are not overthrowing the government, but playing their own kind of music. This involves numerous complexities such as frightening cows and waiting around for the miserable chap next door to go out for work. Filmed under less than ideal circumstances, the fact that the storyline, dialogue and acting is occasionally reminiscent of an early Cliff Richard film can perhaps be brushed aside. The humour and levity underline very serious issues and the music is fantastic. In my view the best musical documentary film since Buena Vista Social Club.

It is easy to become complacent and apathetic about the power of artistic expression in a pop culture soaked world such as our own. Director Bahman Ghobadi is a member of the third generation of Iranian New Wave cinema which is an important force in the cultural climate of the country. Far from being purely a commercial entity, Iranian cinema has become the main medium through which Iranians can access modernity and formulate a national identity outside proscriptive religious values. No One Knows About Persian Cats does not end optimistically and represents a generation of disenfranchised youth and talent. Many aspire to leave Iran, as, at present, this is their only option to achieve their artistic goals, but what the film does prove is that art, culture and music can thrive even under the most hostile of circumstances. SR