No One Knows About Persian Cats

Total Film “Pretty normal ambitions, you’d think...” The cumulative effect is powerful, revealing what it’s like to live in a society where even well-behaved kids can be crushed by the dictates of arbitrary, heavy-handed authority...

The Independent“A vivid snapshot of a hitherto under-publicised scene...” In fairness, the duo are rather less interesting than some of the talents they encounter. These include a dazzling blues chanteuse named Rana Farhan, a stocky sound engineer who doubles as a foghorn blues rasper in the Howlin' Wolf mould...

The Times“This is a drama that looks and feels like a documentary...” What Ghobadi’s film lacks in dramatic quality — and quality music — it makes up for with a fascinating look into a world of hidden studios, secret venues and people who are ready to face prison in the name of rock’n’roll...

Little White Lies“A pulsating world of rappers, indie kids and thrash metallers...” As they hunt down the band mates and false passports needed to escape, Tehran quickly emerges as the unexpected star, the colourful backdrop for a series of beautifully shot music videos that bind the film together...

Time Out film“A tour of Tehran’s musicians...” There are some brilliantly funny scenes: a farmer moans that the metal band practising in a cowshed is putting his heifers off milking. There are some lovely murmurs too of the graceful expressiveness for which Ghobadi is known...

Electric Sheep“Opens up a world that even most Iranians don’t know exists...” This bold and inspiring film was obviously a great risk to make but it is ultimately rewarding for its audience. Recommended for all music lovers but especially to struggling musicians...

Variety“Blends exciting musical performances with an undernourished narrative...” Often riding three on a motorcycle through the perilous Tehran traffic, their excursions are not without humor. Biggest laughs come from a rehearsal in a cowshed on a remote farm, when Ghobadi cuts to bovine reactions...

Guardian“The sound rings in your ears long after the music fades away...” It can sometimes feel as if Ghobadi is filming his friends, but while not a documentary (only "based on real people and events" after all) it does capture a moment and a feeling. And that is quite an achievement...

Empire“The mix is wonderfully eclectic...” Bahman Ghobadi can’t be faulted for showcasing so many bands, and the mix is wonderfully eclectic, but the linking episodes aren’t always riveting. A whistle-stop survey of the Tehran rock scene...

The Telegraph“Its ending is both unexpected and deeply moving...” The film continues Ghobadi’s long-term interest in kinds of political resistance offered by music. Scrappy and overlong, it works better as a documentary than as a drama, though its ending is both unexpected and deeply moving...