No One Knows About Persian Cats April 23, 2010

NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT PERSIAN CATS
Iranian underground music scene rocks in new film by Bahman Ghobadi
Opens Friday, April 23, 2010 at a Landmark’s Opera Plaza Cinema in San Francisco and Camera 3 in San Jose.

Landmark’s Opera Plaza Cinema, 601 Van Ness Avenue, (415) 267-4893
Tickets are $10.50 for general admission and $8.00 for seniors, students, and children.
Showtimes (valid 4/23-4/29)Note showtimes updated on 4/21: Fri-Sun at 1:50, 4:20, 7:00, & 9:30; Mon-Thurs at 1:50, 4:20, & 7:00.

Opening night contest giveaway (Friday, 4/23, at 7:30 showing), soundtrack to the 2009 Cannes Film Fest "Grand Jury Prize" winning Iranian film "NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT PERSIAN CATS". This soundtrack (released by Milan Records) includes wide variety of genres: hip-hop, indie rock, metal, blues, traditional, electronic, folk - all existing illegally underground in Tehran today - which Western music is forbidden & deemed immoral by the current Iranian regime. Music includes tracks from the pop duo "Take It Easy Hospital" who are the two protagonists, Egar and Ashkan, in the film.

Tickets available at the theatre box office and at:
http://www.landmarktheatres.com/tickets/

NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT PERSIAN CATS is an exuberant look at Tehran’s youth and underground music scene and their unapologetic desire for creative expression in the face of an oppressive government. In the eyes of Islam, music (ghéna) is impure, giving rise as it can to cheerfulness and joy. Hearing a woman singing is considered a sin, because of the emotions it stirs. For the last 30 years in Iran, certain music, and in particular western music, has been virtually forbidden by the authorities. It has been forced into hiding underground: it must be played underground and listened to underground. Recently released from prison, two young musicians (Negar Shaghaghi, Ashkan Koshanejad) decide to form a band. Together they search the underworld of contemporary Tehran for other players. Forbidden by the authorities to play in Iran, they plan to escape from their clandestine existence, and dream of performing in Europe. But with no money and no passports, it won’t be easy... Winner, Un Certain Regard Special Jury Prize, 2009 Cannes International Film Festival. Written and directed by Bahman Ghobadi (Turtles Can Fly, A Time for Drunken Horses).

"An out-front attack on cultural repression." -- J. Hoberman, The Village Voice

"Very touching." -- Manohla Dargis, The New York Times

"Dynamic and complex…this charming, funny film filters serious concerns through a comedic filter." -- Ernest Hardy, LA Weekly

The film’s running time is 106 minutes; the film is not rated. In Farsi, fully subtitled in English.

Official Website: http://www.ifcfilms.com/films/no-one-knows-about-persian-cats