Review by Mike Martin
Stars Negar Shaghaghi, Ashkan Koshanejad, Hamed Behdad, Hichkas, Hamed Seyyed Javadi, Ash Koosha
Written by Hossein Mortezaeiyan & Bahman Ghobadi
Cinematography by Turaj M
Certification UK 12A
Runtime 106 minutes
Directed by Bahman Ghobadi
Films showing life as westerners rarely see it are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s obvious why when they are as well-made, touching and moving as this look at Tehran. Following the likes of The Lives Of Others and Goodbye Lenin, which looked at the GDR, and Children Of Glory, which dramatised life in Hungary, this is a present-day unveiling of the Iranian curtain which is brave and chilling in equal measure.
It’s told in documentary style, though any thoughts of Spinal Tap should be instantly dismissed. Three teenagers in Tehran are obsessed with music, which is totally banned in Iran. Forced into an underground existence, they try and meet up with other musicians and producers to get a record made and put on a concert. They descend into a world of underground car parks, basements and rooftops just to write and listen to music, aware that their capture could lead to imprisonment. It sounds worthy, but the great skill of the film is the delightfully light touch employed. The three main players, real-life musicians, are appealing and charming, and have the kinds of interaction all teenagers enjoy – bickering over which is their best song, trying to write hooks. They are refreshingly normal, but in an abnormal situation – the female singer, Negar, has to ride in a separate train carriage and, in one truly shocking scene her dog is taken because “dogs are not allowed out during the daytime”.
All they want to do is put on a concert for their friends and family, but that is illegal and highly dangerous, so they decide to try and get illegal passports and visas and escape to the west, where they can at last play their music. Over the 106 minutes they are consistently interrupted, frustrated and sometimes in danger, but their huge spirit and commitment shines through. When Nader is caught drunk at an illegal party their hopes look doomed. The main story is interspersed with clips and montages of life in Tehran – including some truly shocking scenes of the many homeless. When Ashkan visits his rapper friend to invite him to join them on their journey to the west he refuses, but we then see a video of him rapping in the streets of Tehran, with lyrics that pull no punches about the regime.
It’s also full of humour – in one scene the band has just managed to get together a bassist and drummer, and just as they are hitting their stride they suffer a power cut. In another Negar tears strips off their manager Nader, only for him to suddenly appear from under a blanket and tell her off – in hilariously bad English. The one thing in common with the likes of Lives Of Others and Children Of Glory is the complete inconsistency of the authorities. Here it seems to be fine to blare out music in the streets, wear t-shirts and for women to drive – when the police turn a blind eye or can’t be bothered. When they are in a bad mood however...
As for the band’s music – they describe it as ‘indie’, but there’s rapping and heavy-metal guitars in there too. It’s a highly unusual film, but one which remains highly watchable, quirky and fascinating.