Gonbad Caboud Studio

Gonbad Caboud Studio Gonbad Caboud Studio is an esteemed animation studio that specializes in the production of animated series, short films, and animated feature films. Founded in 2006 by the Nekooei brothers, the studio has made significant contributions to the animation landscape in Iran. Notably, it is recognized for producing "Stripy," the first Iranian animated film to achieve Oscar qualification in 2015.

STRIPY Reviews in the Press “When I learned that Stripy was made in Tehran, all of my previous impressions of social theory went out the window. The two filmmakers made an homage to Disney, and the way they bring about change in the world of their characters is counter to what we would think is possible in Iran. The expression of individuality as the key element of the story is inspired.” Daniel Schindel, Los Angeles Magazine - September 2015 “Stripy, about an Iranian assembly-line worker rebelling against societal conformity through unconventional artistry, is a handsome looking 2D effort with a decidedly familiar message.” Nick Schager, Film Journal International - September 2015 “Passionate admirers of Walt Disney’s classic films, Iranian brothers Babak & Behnoud Nekooei crafted a remarkable 2D animated piece in which their influences are unmistakable but not without reinvention. “Stripy” centers on an enthusiastic factory worker in a city where homogeneity is paramount. His job is simply to paint dark stripes on every box that comes through the assembly line; however, the spirited young man decides that a more vibrant pattern would make the repetitive labor more interesting. Individuality and the power that comes from refusing to conform are crucial themes weaved into the Nekooei brothers’ melodically structured short. Without explicitly touching on their country’s politics, the filmmakers created a subtly rebellious work of art that transcends divisive discourses and ideologies.” Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire - September 2015 “This film does an excellent job illustrating how art cannot be tamed and will not be monetized by commerce.” Michael Nazarewycz, Way Too Indie - January 2016 “This film mimics the classic animation style of Walt Disney while creating expressive and unique characters. The story is set to the tune of Johannes Brahms’s Hungarian Dance No. 5 as the workers at a factory paint black vertical stripes on boxes. Work is disrupted as the quality control manager discovers a box painted with red swirly stripes and all chaos breaks loose. It is ultimately a story about breaking from tradition and being creative.” Bethany Lewis, Renegade Cinema - 2015 “Stripy looks like a classic animated film from Disney or Warner Bros., but message about using art to rebel against forced conformity is anything but antiquated given the film’s country of origin – Iran. The animators, brothers Babak and Behnoud Nekooei, are featured in one short documentary that adds resonance to the short, showing life in Tehran and the ways Stripy’s style mirrors the architectural lines of the city. To the Nekooei brothers’ credit, they are ebullient. It’s easy to see how such a bouncy, fun film came out of a supposedly oppressive place. Tehran may be sprawling and urban, but it is also beautiful. We often only get one picture of a place on the evening news. Stripy and the documentary that follows it gives us another vie” Elijah Davidson, Brehm Center - September 2015 “Far more outrageous comedy comes from the wonderful Iranian short “Stripy.” A homage to classic 2-D animation from Babak Nekooei and Behnoud Nekooei. When the painter asserts some creative individuality via swirls, his defiant action has far reaching effects. The Nekooeis’ hilarious images match the pacing and rhythms of the short’s Johannes Brahms’ “Hungarian Dance No. 5”. There’s even a nice final joke to match the Brahms piece’s end.” Peter Wong, Beyond Chron - October 2015 “Nekooei's Stripy is all clean, modern angles.” John DeFore,The hollywood reporter, - Novamber 2015