No One Knows About Persian Cats

Negar and Ashkan, two young Iranian pop musicians end up in prison for playing western music. After their release they think up a plan to escape their chained existence. To realise their dream of performing in Europe, they roam Tehran’s underground rock scene trying to recruit other band members. Tehran as we have never seen it before.
Much-acclaimed Iranian Kurd director Bahman Ghobadi recorded his music film last year without the required permission, in just two weeks and with terror in his heart. He used an S12K camera, since all 35mm cameras are state-owned. No permission means no film, and no permission means no music.
'No One Knows About Persian Cats' won the special jury prize of the ‘Un Certain Regard’ programme at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. After the festival, some members of the cast and crew did not return to Iran, which gives the film an extra dimension: the makers made their characters’ dream come true. Ghobadi himself did return. As could be expected, he was immediately imprisoned upon his arrival in Tehran.
Ghobadi is the guest of honour at the Movies that Matter Festival 2010, that has dedicated a retrospective to his work, including the excellent 'Turtles Can Fly'.