Afghan Star | Rotten Tomatoes (original) (raw)

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Critics Consensus

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

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 Michael Leader Den of Geek Afghan Star is not bland, ephemeral stuffing. This is vital. This is controversy, the front-line of cultural progress and taboo testing. Rated: 4/5 May 7, 2024 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 Read all reviews

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 Read all reviews

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Afghan Star (2009) Afghan Star (2009) Afghan Star (2009) View more photos

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

Runtime

1h 28m