No One Knows About Persian Cats

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

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

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.

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.

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?