Comments on: Clip from an illegally made movie about Iran's underground rock scene http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 25 May 2013 23:17:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: BlueSong http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-769280 BlueSong Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-769280 This looks really good, it reminds me a lot of the documentary which came out a few years ago called Heavy Metal in Baghdad which similarly they followed a rock group. During this one their studio actually gets bombed and it destroys their instruments and stuff, is a brilliant doc though for anyone thats interested. Heres the trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBZ7Ggx-rUE This looks really good, it reminds me a lot of the documentary which came out a few years ago called Heavy Metal in Baghdad which similarly they followed a rock group. During this one their studio actually gets bombed and it destroys their instruments and stuff, is a brilliant doc though for anyone thats interested. Heres the trailer –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBZ7Ggx-rUE

]]> By: querent http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-769033 querent Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-769033 very cool and humanizing. good to be able to think of people outside of socio-political terms. rock on! very cool and humanizing. good to be able to think of people outside of socio-political terms. rock on!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-769038 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-769038 This is what rock n' roll is all about! For those about to rock, we salute you! Furk year! This is what rock n’ roll is all about! For those about to rock, we salute you! Furk year!

]]> By: Doom-Kitten http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-769550 Doom-Kitten Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-769550 This reminds me of the film Global Metal, a documentary about heavy metal music from around the world. This reminds me of the film Global Metal, a documentary about heavy metal music from around the world.

]]> By: Michael Smith http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768797 Michael Smith Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768797 "I miss some things. I bet those kids roller-blading down the crowded city sidewalk weren't wearing helmets either. The Horror." Today I returned from Malaysia where lots of people ride motorbikes without helmets and many people drive without seatbelts. On the surface it looks idyllic but I also spent time in a hospital ward for people with severe head injuries, where my wife's uncle is a patient. That ward has many more patients than I expected, considering that it is in an expensive private hospital, where health insurance is uncommon. “I miss some things. I bet those kids roller-blading down the crowded city sidewalk weren’t wearing helmets either. The Horror.”

Today I returned from Malaysia where lots of people ride motorbikes without helmets and many people drive without seatbelts. On the surface it looks idyllic but I also spent time in a hospital ward for people with severe head injuries, where my wife’s uncle is a patient.

That ward has many more patients than I expected, considering that it is in an expensive private hospital, where health insurance is uncommon.

]]> By: BenSeese http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-769319 BenSeese Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-769319 For those that haven't seen it yet, the director openly encourages sharing his film. Most torrents include this short clip of him explaining this on camera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXw07PgDdgA "i'm very proud of that you can watch my movie without pay any prices. it's solvent for you, and you can give it to everyone" Unfortunately, the subtitles available for the film itself are similarly sketchy (as of yet). For those that haven’t seen it yet, the director openly encourages sharing his film. Most torrents include this short clip of him explaining this on camera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXw07PgDdgA
“i’m very proud of that you can watch my movie without pay any prices. it’s solvent for you, and you can give it to everyone”

Unfortunately, the subtitles available for the film itself are similarly sketchy (as of yet).

]]> By: Mitch http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-769083 Mitch Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-769083 I got a brochure from Iranians protesting against the Shah on the Capitol steps on a vacation to Washington, D.C. with my parents in 1978. I was rooting for them. I got a brochure from Iranians protesting against the Shah on the Capitol steps on a vacation to Washington, D.C. with my parents in 1978. I was rooting for them.

]]> By: Ugly Canuck http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768864 Ugly Canuck Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768864 I think that even without a helmet, you ought to wear leathers to ward off the road burns. Speaking of black leather, and thinking about rock music, I am reminded that rock'n'roll is hardly viewed as a benevolent nor as being culturally progressive by very very many. Thus, this rock song, in praise of black leather (which to my ears seems charmingly retro), may cause authorities everywhere to pause - and not just religious authorities: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZJv7DMz96A Smash smash smash! Kill kill kill! I think that even without a helmet, you ought to wear leathers to ward off the road burns.

Speaking of black leather, and thinking about rock music, I am reminded that rock’n'roll is hardly viewed as a benevolent nor as being culturally progressive by very very many.
Thus, this rock song, in praise of black leather (which to my ears seems charmingly retro), may cause authorities everywhere to pause – and not just religious authorities:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZJv7DMz96A

Smash smash smash!
Kill kill kill!

]]> By: Gilbert Wham http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768865 Gilbert Wham Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768865 People, the kid's what, 18-19? He already thinks he's invulnerable and that's before you add in the fact that he's in a <i>real-life Rock n Roll underground</i>. Imagine how much more of a 'Fuck, yeah!' every gig of theirs is compared to every last basement-club hardcore gig/squat party rave/whatever you or I went to gave <i>us</i>. And those times were pretty fucking good, IIRC. Doing that for kicks must be like a live wire straight to the brain. I'm surprised they don't think they can walk through bloody walls. Awesome, and carry on sticking it to The Man, kids! Oh, and don't get caught. People, the kid’s what, 18-19? He already thinks he’s invulnerable and that’s before you add in the fact that he’s in a real-life Rock n Roll underground.

Imagine how much more of a ‘Fuck, yeah!’ every gig of theirs is compared to every last basement-club hardcore gig/squat party rave/whatever you or I went to gave us. And those times were pretty fucking good, IIRC. Doing that for kicks must be like a live wire straight to the brain. I’m surprised they don’t think they can walk through bloody walls.

Awesome, and carry on sticking it to The Man, kids! Oh, and don’t get caught.

]]> By: Ugly Canuck http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768866 Ugly Canuck Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768866 Oh yeah: there's a unicorn in the vid I just posted to. just thought I'd point that out that for the unicorn fans who may be reading. PS: To Iranians of all ages: Rock on! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR3hhc_Nfg8 Oh yeah: there’s a unicorn in the vid I just posted to.
just thought I’d point that out that for the unicorn fans who may be reading.

PS: To Iranians of all ages: Rock on!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR3hhc_Nfg8

]]> By: paulatz http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768869 paulatz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768869 I've seen the film a couple of months ago (in Farsi, subtitled in French). It is indeed very interesting, and it gives some incredible insight on Tehran everyday life, as well as on the underground scene of Iranian music. That said, it is not a masterpiece of cinema. Its value is in the incredible setting and documentary value, not in the intrinsic artistic quality. However, I really loved the photography, the views of Tehran and the colours of Iran. The music is so-so, but it has to be representative of independent clandestine Iranian bands, hence it perfectly serves the purpose. As a final warning: it is the most cruel film I have ever seen. Don't plan to go, watch it and then have a casual beer with friends, you won't be in the right mood. I’ve seen the film a couple of months ago (in Farsi, subtitled in French). It is indeed very interesting, and it gives some incredible insight on Tehran everyday life, as well as on the underground scene of Iranian music.

That said, it is not a masterpiece of cinema. Its value is in the incredible setting and documentary value, not in the intrinsic artistic quality. However, I really loved the photography, the views of Tehran and the colours of Iran. The music is so-so, but it has to be representative of independent clandestine Iranian bands, hence it perfectly serves the purpose.

As a final warning: it is the most cruel film I have ever seen. Don’t plan to go, watch it and then have a casual beer with friends, you won’t be in the right mood.

]]> By: Raj77 http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768876 Raj77 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768876 It's a pretty superb film. I've followed a few of the bands in particular- the Free Keys managed to establish themselves in London quite recently. It’s a pretty superb film. I’ve followed a few of the bands in particular- the Free Keys managed to establish themselves in London quite recently.

]]> By: JoshP http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-769132 JoshP Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-769132 ahem, for the sqeamish indiviuals above heckling our brave young rockers who 'Rocking with their Tehrans Out', so to speak. Cities built and planned before the advent of modern civilization were done so with foot travel in mind. The American mentality of the open road, 90 km per hour speeds etc, is unusual in the perspective of non westerners. Also, Illinoisan and Texans as far as I know do not feel the need to protect their melons. See, proof that America must claim its own stupidity. Lids are also expensive. These young rockers need to save their cash for imported guitar strings, vodka for easing young ladies out of their bourkas and the corrective surgery for when the establishment makes the barre chord an offense punishable by broken thumb. Keep rocking the free world Tehran. ahem, for the sqeamish indiviuals above heckling our brave young rockers who ‘Rocking with their Tehrans Out’, so to speak.
Cities built and planned before the advent of modern civilization were done so with foot travel in mind. The American mentality of the open road, 90 km per hour speeds etc, is unusual in the perspective of non westerners. Also, Illinoisan and Texans as far as I know do not feel the need to protect their melons. See, proof that America must claim its own stupidity. Lids are also expensive. These young rockers need to save their cash for imported guitar strings, vodka for easing young ladies out of their bourkas and the corrective surgery for when the establishment makes the barre chord an offense punishable by broken thumb.
Keep rocking the free world Tehran.

]]> By: essrog http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768879 essrog Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768879 Recommended! This is brave filmmaking + brave music. I saw it recently at a screening followed by Q&A with the director, the co-writer and the Yellow Dogs (the band who appeared in the movie) - all safely out of Iran, as are the main characters Negar and Ashkan, who are now in London. In New York it's now playing at the IFC Center and Lincoln Plaza. Watch it! Recommended! This is brave filmmaking + brave music. I saw it recently at a screening followed by Q&A with the director, the co-writer and the Yellow Dogs (the band who appeared in the movie) – all safely out of Iran, as are the main characters Negar and Ashkan, who are now in London.

In New York it’s now playing at the IFC Center and Lincoln Plaza. Watch it!

]]> By: essrog http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768885 essrog Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768885 If anyone is interested? Here's some notes I'd posted from the Q&A http://www.flickr.com/photos/essrog/4523756387/ If anyone is interested? Here’s some notes I’d posted from the Q&A

http://www.flickr.com/photos/essrog/4523756387/

]]> By: dapascha http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768898 dapascha Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768898 I saw the movie in february at the international film festival in Rotterdam (Netherlands) with a Q&A with the director and actors present. The movie is inspiring and depressing at the same time. It may not be the cinematic highlight of the year artistically (whatever that may mean) but since it's a political movie first and foremost that doesn't really detract from the impact the film can have, especially if you (like myself) knew very little about Iranian subculture. It's a great inside-look for the uninitiated and a confirmation that Iran's biggest problem is a government that does not trust it's own people. I saw the movie in february at the international film festival in Rotterdam (Netherlands) with a Q&A with the director and actors present. The movie is inspiring and depressing at the same time. It may not be the cinematic highlight of the year artistically (whatever that may mean) but since it’s a political movie first and foremost that doesn’t really detract from the impact the film can have, especially if you (like myself) knew very little about Iranian subculture. It’s a great inside-look for the uninitiated and a confirmation that Iran’s biggest problem is a government that does not trust it’s own people.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-769671 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-769671 I saw this movie as it played in Paris a few months ago and had a great time. It shows the artistic energy present in the country, how this energy leads to solidarity and transcends all barriers. You may listen to the music bands in the movie, some of them are great: www.myspace.com/takeiteasyhospital www.myspace.com/theyellowdogsband Enjoy the music and go see the movie to support the cause ! I saw this movie as it played in Paris a few months ago and had a great time. It shows the artistic energy present in the country, how this energy leads to solidarity and transcends all barriers. You may listen to the music bands in the movie, some of them are great:
http://www.myspace.com/takeiteasyhospital
http://www.myspace.com/theyellowdogsband

Enjoy the music and go see the movie to support the cause !

]]> By: MelSkunk http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768656 MelSkunk Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768656 I really want to see the whole thing. The music sounded pretty damn awesome. I really want to see the whole thing. The music sounded pretty damn awesome.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-769168 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-769168 Does no one else feel worried that everyone's faces are being shown? Can't help but think that at least a couple people are going to jail for this. Does no one else feel worried that everyone’s faces are being shown? Can’t help but think that at least a couple people are going to jail for this.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768917 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768917 I'm very interested in seeing this, and since I heard about it just waiting for it to come to Chicago. I saw one other of his films, on a bit of Iranian film kick a few years back. I would highly recommend "Turtles Can Fly," a film made in newly postwar Iraqi Kurdistan. Powerful is the first word that comes to mind. It was both enjoyable, and deeply affecting. Other Iranian new wave films (the Makhmalbafs as well as Abbas Kiarostami come to mind) also share some of the spirit of this. It will be interesting to see this work with a documentary. One with sweet music no less. I’m very interested in seeing this, and since I heard about it just waiting for it to come to Chicago.

I saw one other of his films, on a bit of Iranian film kick a few years back. I would highly recommend “Turtles Can Fly,” a film made in newly postwar Iraqi Kurdistan. Powerful is the first word that comes to mind. It was both enjoyable, and deeply affecting. Other Iranian new wave films (the Makhmalbafs as well as Abbas Kiarostami come to mind) also share some of the spirit of this. It will be interesting to see this work with a documentary. One with sweet music no less.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768920 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768920 Man...I hope we don't bomb these people. Ok. their gov't sux ass but the kids are alright. Man…I hope we don’t bomb these people. Ok. their gov’t sux ass but the kids are alright.

]]> By: briolson http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768678 briolson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768678 "dreaming is my reality" beautiful & unintentional effect of legislating a society around a man-made religion that doesn't jive with the hearts of many. “dreaming is my reality” beautiful & unintentional effect of legislating a society around a man-made religion that doesn’t jive with the hearts of many.

]]> By: EH http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768680 EH Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768680 Just out of curiosity, what is the text of the law that this is breaking? Just out of curiosity, what is the text of the law that this is breaking?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768690 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768690 I would love a copy of this to show to my Middle East classes. I would love a copy of this to show to my Middle East classes.

]]> By: BethNOLA http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768692 BethNOLA Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768692 Am I not thinking clearly? Because I'm having a hard time fitting an image of Iranian kids back in 1979, sitting around surfing their slow internet connections. I had a slower than slow internet connection in 1979 and all through the 80s, so slow it didn't exist at all. Am I not thinking clearly? Because I’m having a hard time fitting an image of Iranian kids back in 1979, sitting around surfing their slow internet connections. I had a slower than slow internet connection in 1979 and all through the 80s, so slow it didn’t exist at all.

]]> By: bcsizemo http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768949 bcsizemo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768949 Proof positive rock is universal. I like the coverage of good bands, be it from America, Europe, or anywhere. That Die Antwoord stuff was/is pretty sweet. Proof positive rock is universal.

I like the coverage of good bands, be it from America, Europe, or anywhere.

That Die Antwoord stuff was/is pretty sweet.

]]> By: dross1260 http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768699 dross1260 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768699 Yeah. I wouldn't worry about it though, it's not a big college town. Yeah. I wouldn’t worry about it though, it’s not a big college town.

]]> By: Rich Keller http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768961 Rich Keller Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768961 I've never seen a movie from Iran before this. Wow. Rock's always been anti-authority, but this is serious. It also put individual faces on the Iranian people for me. I’ve never seen a movie from Iran before this. Wow. Rock’s always been anti-authority, but this is serious. It also put individual faces on the Iranian people for me.

]]> By: Nadreck http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768713 Nadreck Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768713 The Kids are alright... The Kids are alright…

]]> By: Anja Flower http://boingboing.net/2010/04/23/clip-from-an-illegal.html#comment-768969 Anja Flower Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-768969 Really gives lie to simplistic "smash the Moslems," "clash of civilizations" type thinking. Iran is not a monolith, and some of these nonmonolithians apparently know how to rock pretty hard in secret. Good times! Really gives lie to simplistic “smash the Moslems,” “clash of civilizations” type thinking. Iran is not a monolith, and some of these nonmonolithians apparently know how to rock pretty hard in secret. Good times!

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