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  • 2010
  • IFC Films
  • 1 h 46 m
  • 2010
  • IFC Films
  • 1 h 46 m

Summary Co-written by imprisoned Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi, the film is an indictment of cultural repression in Iran’s exciting underground music scene, a powerful cinematic foreshadowing of current protest movements, and a celebration of an entire generation of Iranians striving towards personal and creative freedom. (IFC Films)

Directed By: Bahman Ghobadi

Written By: Hossein Mortezaeiyan, Roxana Saberi, Bahman Ghobadi

  • 2010
  • IFC Films
  • 1 h 46 m
  • 2010
  • IFC Films
  • 1 h 46 m

No One Knows About Persian Cats

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 18 Critic Reviews
71
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 10 User Ratings
7.1
My Score
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Where to Watch

Summary Co-written by imprisoned Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi, the film is an indictment of cultural repression in Iran’s exciting underground music scene, a powerful cinematic foreshadowing of current protest movements, and a celebration of an entire generation of Iranians striving towards personal and creative freedom. (IFC Films)

Directed By: Bahman Ghobadi

Written By: Hossein Mortezaeiyan, Roxana Saberi, Bahman Ghobadi

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 18 Critic Reviews
71
67% Positive
12 Reviews
33% Mixed
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 18 Critic Reviews
71
67% Positive
12 Reviews
33% Mixed
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
91
Director Bahman Ghobadi (Turtles Can Fly) shot his faux documentary in secret, and the close-to-the-ground style compensates for the tenuous narrative structure by capturing the energy and variety of Tehran's music scene in all its bravery.
By Lisa Schwarzbaum FULL REVIEW
80
An exhilarating examination of a leading Iranian criminal enterprise--music: More than 2,000 bands are said to operate clandestinely in the capital of Tehran, risking prison to play together in basements, bedrooms and rooftops.
FULL REVIEW
75
The film's minimal story line, propelled by hope but dampened with heartbreak, provides the excuse for a first-rate lineup of bands spanning misty folk rock, crunchy alt-pop and thrashing Persian rap.
FULL REVIEW
70
This is worth catching just for the scene in which Behdad, pulled before an Islamic judge for possession of banned DVDs, intermittently cowers and rages, and ultimately talks his way out of a flogging.
FULL REVIEW
63
Unfortunately, Ghobadi doesn't trust his film to convey the message that has already been clearly and entertainingly spelled out, and No One Knows About Persian Cats ends on a sudden note of tragedy that almost ruins the exuberant spirit of everything that has preceded it.
By Rene Rodriguez FULL REVIEW
60
Strings an improvised tale around Tehran's underground indie-rock scene. Good-looking, shot-on-the-fly fifth feature by Bahman Ghobadi ("Half Moon," "Turtles Can Fly," "A Time for Drunken Horses"), which blends exciting musical performances with an undernourished narrative.
FULL REVIEW
50
The movie, largely improvised and totally believable, is often very funny, and the glimpses of life inside what remains a very repressive regime are fascinating, but in the final analysis, despite a fairly grim denouement, there's little here you haven't already seen in Hollywood flicks like "Singles."
FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 10 User Ratings
7.1
80% Positive
8 Ratings
10% Mixed
1 Rating
10% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 10 User Ratings
7.1
80% Positive
8 Ratings
10% Mixed
1 Rating
10% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Mij Film Co., Mitosfilm
Release Date Apr 16, 2010
Duration 1 h 46 m
Genres
Tagline Take a tour through the Iranian underground music scene.
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Awards

Cannes Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 3 Nominations
Miami Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 3 Nominations
Tokyo FILMeX
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations

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