Afghan Star

Released Jun 26, 2009

1 hr. 28 min.

Documentary

List

100%

62 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Director Havana Marking dives into the booming, but still young and growing, world of pop culture in Afghanistan. Newly liberated after more than 30 years of stifling Taliban rule, the country is taken with a fervor for expression. This documentary follows four contestants, including two women, as they audition, sing and compete in a countrywide "American Idol"-type competition called "Pop Idol." Marking uncovers a wonderfully vibrant community, which is also surprisingly accepting.

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Critics Consensus

An enlightening and sobering documentary on Afghanistan's very own X-Factor.

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Georgan G

What an eye-opening documentary about the Afghan people and their pop culture! Of note is that everyone is welcome to try out for this American Idol type TV show. No ban on women or any of the various tribes. It's showing people they can all work together.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/04/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Much more than "American Idol in Afghanistan," Afghan Star captures a moment in Afghan history when music speaks directly to power, fraternity transcends ethnicity, and a woman's televised dancing is an act of defiance.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

seperti yang dkatakan salah satu anak kecil di awal cerita, musik bukan melulu tentang keindahan suara saja, karena bagaimanapun dunia tanpa suara (dalam hal ini musik tentu saja) menjadi begitu mencekam. yang ada hanya kesunyan. Ketika Taliban mengambil alih pemerintahan Afghanistan, salah satu dari sekian banyka larangan adalah musik pop, menurut mereka mampu merusak dan mempengaruhi nilai moral yang berlaku di dalam masyarakat. Musik bukanlah hanya tentang suara saja, dan di Afghanistan, setelah melalui begitu banyak penderitaan, musik adalah salahsatu cara mengalihkan genggaman tangan. Dari yang sebelumya menggenggam senjata, beralih menggenggam microphone. Bukan untuk meneriakkan dogma-dogma di sepanjang jalan, akan tetapi untuk mengisi kesunyian Afghanistan.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

There is no reason that anyone who saw this would give it a good rating. It is absolute pandering garbage, not to mention being poorly done and resulting in the death of some of it's actors. The fact that critics have given this positive reviews should bring to question their credentials.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Afghan Star takes an original viewpoint in portraying the contrasts in culture. With her film, in fact, Havana Marking shows the various social and political implications that come with a TV format that on the Western side of the boarder is regarded as tasteless and commercialised which it has on a violence and poverty ridden society like Afghanistan. Insightful and intriguing all throughout, this documentary also works as a piece of upbeat entertainment.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

funny and sad in the same time

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

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David Fear

Time Out

While its style and structure conform to the well-worn template established by docs like Spellbound, its success lies in creating an accessible, fun way into serious issues.

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

One of the more surreal docs to come down the pike in some time.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 16, 2009

Full Review

Joe Williams

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Of all the films to come out of the conflict, Afghan Star is the most provocative, because its message that people are essentially the same is a dubious, double-edge sword.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 17, 2009

Full Review

Nikki Baughan

Roll Credits

It's absolutely fascinating to see such a familiar talent show format - complete with sharp-tongued judges and starry-eyed wannabees - in such a vastly different setting.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 31, 2019

Full Review

Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

So much more than a reality show, it is a microcosm of the birth of a new democracy, of a free people facing the dawn of a new day.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 5, 2019

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Timely and intriguing docu was the winner of the Directing and Audience Awards at the Sundance Film Fest.

Rated: B

Jun 22, 2011

Full Review

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Synopsis

Director Havana Marking dives into the booming, but still young and growing, world of pop culture in Afghanistan. Newly liberated after more than 30 years of stifling Taliban rule, the country is taken with a fervor for expression. This documentary follows four contestants, including two women, as they audition, sing and compete in a countrywide "American Idol"-type competition called "Pop Idol." Marking uncovers a wonderfully vibrant community, which is also surprisingly accepting.

Director: Havana Marking
Distributor: Zeitgeist
Production Co: Roast Beef Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 26, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 18, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $101.5K

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