Iranian of the Day

The Independent: Two young Iranian actors and musicians, propelled to fame at the Cannes Film Festival, are seeking asylum in Britain after another member of their band disappeared after being arrested by the country's Revolutionary Guard. Ashkan Kooshanejad, 24, and his girlfriend Negar Shaghaghi, 23, were chosen to star in award-winning director Bahman Ghobadi's latest film No One Knows About Persian Cats, about the Tehran's illegal underground music scene, in which they are significant figures. Being a rock musician in Iran is a dangerous profession as Western-inspired music was banned in the country after the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Musicians who defy the strict rules risk harsh punishments such as lashings, fines and imprisonment. >>>

Photo: Iranian actor Ashkan Kooshanejad (R) actress Negar Shaghaghi (C) and director Bahman Ghobadi (L) pose at the (No One Knows About) Persian Cats Photocall held at the Palais Des Festivals during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)