The politics of 'Persian Cats'

The politics of 'Persian Cats'

Ash Koosha and Negar Shaghagai are young Iranian rock singers. They star in a film called 'No one know about Persian Cats', which charts the story of Tehran's underground rock scene. On Saturday the film debuts at the London film festival and next week it will screen at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival. See a short film trailer here.

Although the film is a drama, their story is real. The movie is part fiction, part documentary. They are very much part of Tehran's music scene and they have suffered at the hands of a political establishment unwilling to accept their form of art. Some members of their rock group have spent time in jail after being caught performing at illegal outdoor rock concerts.

The young rockers have been in Europe since earlier this year, helping to promote the film and play gigs. Shortly after the Cannes film festival it became obvious that returning home was no longer a real option. Going back to Tehran would mean an uncertain future and possibly even arrest. They sought asylum here in Britain (as Al Jazeera reported back in August), and it has now been granted.

Saturday is a big day for Ash and Negar. The film screening in London is an important part of their journey, but their story is most definitely not over yet.