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| Movie Review: Afghan Star Alternate Title: Afghan Idol
Story: How is it possible that
after watching this terrific film I now know more about Afghanistan
than watching the news coverage for the past eight years? First time
English director Havana Marking has opened a window
into Afghanistan's culture for all of us to see. And what a view it
is. In 1996 the Taliban ruled that it was a crime
to dance, watch TV or listen to music. The loosening of their grip in
2004 allowed a flood of TV stations to begin to operate. Tolo Tv is
the biggest. They produce the very popular TV show Afghan
Star that is watched by one third of the country. They
vote for their favorite performer by texting. It is the closest thing
to democracy that most of them have ever witnessed. This informative and entertaining documentary
follows four of the top contenders for the big prize. The four represent
just some of the tribal factions that dominate the Afghan culture and
also produce most of the problems. Over 2000 contestants entered (and
yes, we get to se some of the very bad tryouts) and they were proud
to announce that three of the entrants were woman. Magically, two of
the woman make it to the finals. Afghanistan has a long way to go in its quest for modernity and this
eye-opening film helps to understand the problems they have yet to conquer. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DentE2ydnMI
Acting: It is a documentary so this category does
not apply.
Trivia: This was the first time an Afghan film had
made it to Sundance Film Festival, let alone won both the World Cinema
Documentary Audience and Directors award. Congratulations to English
director Havana Marking for her brave efforts. Afghan
Star' sent TV host Daoud Sediqi (think Ryan Seacrest)
to Utah’s Sundance Film Festival in January, where he watched
a film in which he starred collect two prizes, including the audience
prize for world documentary. Sediqi never returned to Afghanistan.
Predilection: None
Critters: The Kabel Zoo was featured
during one of the contestant's close ups. Peacock, lion, coyotes and
the only pig in Afghanistan. FYI - The pig, a curiosity in Muslim Afghanistan
where pork and pig products are illegal because they are considered
irreligious, was quarantined because visitors to the zoo were worried
it could spread the new H1N1 flu strain, commonly known as swine flu.
Sex Spectrum: You have got to be kidding. One of the
female contestants gets death threats for moving inappropriately on
stage.
Soundtrack: Ethnic music dominates.
Visual Art: Afghanistan is mostly a pile of rocks.
Theater Audience: About ten other people. We had
a short discussion amongst ourselves about how eye opening this film
was to all of us.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: The Taliban and zealots make me squirm.
Drift Factor: I was fascinated throughout.
Predictability Level: Moderate.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Hmmmm.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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