“No one knows about the Persian Cats” is an Iranian movie., a fictional film mixed wit documentary. It is a story with actors but for example, the band in the movie is actually a real life band playing themselves in similar circumstances to those in their lives.
It portrays a rock band in Iran… and what that implicates. And let me tell you, it ain’t no breeze.
Just to give a concert can be somewhat of a mission. They have to arrange it themselves, that’s quite ok, but the concert needs to be in a private house, needs to be a secret and still the police can come at any moment and arrest people… yes… arrest people for a private party… and that’s the only way they can give a concert.
But that’s not all… since it is not permitted to play some songs, the band needs to apply for a visa… just so they can express themselves in another country… quite disturbing, specially in a country so filled with art.
The movie was released in 2009 and it made a big impact at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
It is indeed a great film. It would be safe to bet that the movie has great music, since it is set in the musical world. And it does… not only great but very varied It covers all genres from “contemporary” music and some traditional Iranian too.
The main band is an "indie rock" band, but we get to see bands from Teheran with many different styles. Electronic, metal among others such as a great Farsi Rap song.
The music is fantastic, but so are the visuals… they are truly stunning… very well executed and with soul and artistic vision.
The film deals with very important social issues about a particular culture, but it does so, from a personal and intimate place. It is a film about music and the power of artistic resistance above all, but manages to capture bigger perspectives.
In one scene we see a group of musicians eating a traditional stew and talking. One of them says his dream is to go to Iceland and see "Sigur Ros" play.
I would recommend this film any day of the week… it is worth your time, no questions asked.
Here is the trailer .. just in case.
Hope you enjoyed the article.
