“IDOLIZING IN IRAN”
Featuring: Rafi Naabzada, Lima Sahar, Hameed Sakhizada, Setara Hussainzada, Habib Amiri
Director: Havana Marking
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Documentary/Foreign
Subtitled: In Afghan with English Subtitles
By John Delia
The movie Afghan Star, a documentary that depicts a return of pop culture to Afghanistan, takes a courageous peak into the lives of a people and culture that has been constantly changing. I liked the film very much because it reaches into the hearts of the Iranians who seem to be looking for freedom from oppression and the right to happiness through self-expression.
NOTE: Considered sacrilegious by the Mujahiddeen and outright banned by the Taliban (1996-2001), music has come to symbolize freedom for the youth. While the conflict still rages, many of those taking part in Afghan Star, an Iranian American Idol are literally risking their lives. – (Kaboora Productions)
In Afghanistan you risk your life to sing. After thirty years of war and five devastating years of Taliban rule, pop culture is beginning to return to the country. Since 2005, millions have been tuning in to Tolo TV’s wildly popular American Idol-style series Afghan Star. Like its Western predecessors, people compete for a cash prize and record deal. More surprisingly, the contest is open to everyone across the country despite gender, ethnicity or age. When this film was documented, two thousand people auditioned, including three extremely brave women. And when viewers voted for their favorites via cell phone, it was, for many, their first encounter with the democratic process. But, not everyone was happy with the display of one female contestant that brought on some heavy objections from a large segment of the people.
The film was the winner of the 2009 Audience and Direction awards at the Sundance World Documentary competition. Cunningly crafted intertwining government laws, religious faith and the changing peoples will to sing, the filmmakers do an admirable job of bringing the documentary to life. I am amazed that they were able to film so much of the personal lives of the contestants and escape with one of the greatest uplifting stories of this war torn country.
Afghan Star is chilling at times, especially the story of Setara Hussainzada, a female who chose to dance and show her hair on the television show. Strictly forbidden by her people, at one point she gets evicted from her apartment in the Afghan city of Kabul, an act that forced her to return to her village incognito and in fear of her life.
FINAL ANALYSIS: An excellent documented story that shows the will of an oppressed people. (4 of 5 Palm Trees)