Her life in danger, the young singer is forced into hiding, with the rest of the country still reeling from her performance. For more information, click here. In this follow-up to 'Afghan Star,' filmmaker Havana Marking returns to Afghanistan to check in on infamous contestant Setara from the popular Afghan talent show of the same name. Havana Markings 2009 documentary Afghan Star captured the drama as it unfolded, with the singers attracting massive followings in their home provinces and elsewhere and the two women contestants, Hussainzada and Lema Sahar, becoming cultural flashpoints. She said she had feelings on the stage, as she had already been evicted (votes decide who stays). Rock the Kasbah carries a dedication to Setara Hussainzada, who did come out from under her hijab in her final performance on. Three years later, Afghan Star, the country's equivalent of Pop Idol, was launched by Tolo TV, Afghanistan's leading independent television company. The Taliban outlawed music for five years. The resulting tensions, unfolding in front of the camera, are what ultimately push the film beyond its own conventional framework. Rating: . I doubt she realizes what an impact she has had on the British documentary community. Afghan Star follows the story of Hameed Sakhizada, Setara Hussainzada, Rafi Naabzada, and Lema Sahar, four contestants appearing in the third season of the Afghan reality show Afghan Star. Her story, my concern and in turn the audience's concern are what make the film so gripping; the film becomes a political thriller rather than just a quirky look at modern life in today's Afghanistan. Habib Amiri Setara Hussainzada Rafi Naabzada Hameed Sakhizada Lema Sahar: Cinematography: Phil Stebbing: Edited by: Ash Jenkins: Music by . When my friend and I walked into the house at around 1:30am the night before, we all woke up to find setara hussainzadas body slumped against the wall. We gave her a handycam, and so she was able to film some stuff for us. The performers in Afghan Star, both men and women, hardly move on stage. Afghan Star premieres at . When the Taliban took Kabul in 1996, they restored order but put a total ban on music and TV. The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. SEE RANK. 2 wins & 3 nominations. In my own country, I tend to decry this kind of cheap entertainment, and there's a sense in which the reactionaries have a point when they lament the invasion of foreign culture; but they offer only regression and ignorance as an alternative. In these difficult times, one entrepreneurial broadcast company, Tolo, has inaugurated Afghan Star, . Marking's film follows the strange odyssey of semifinalists Setara Hussainzada, . Setara Hussainzada is from Herat and probably also Tajik. To the home audience, its the equivalent of Sinead OConnor ripping up a picture of the Pope. The fallout from her performance is brutal, raging from shocked disavowals to overt death threats. The results are sadly lackluster, even if the concept and the intent are admirable. I went on my own and filmed for a month. Afghan Star Year: 2009: Director: Havana Marking: Stars: Daoud Sediqi, Rafi Naabzada, Setara Hussainzada, Hameed Sakhizada, Lima Sahar, various: Genre: Documentary, Music: Rating: 8 (from 2 votes) Review: Afghanistan has had more than its share of troubles over the years, but perhaps there could be a way of uniting a country which has been split apart by conflicts from the Mujahadeen and the . Religious leaders soon step into the debate, putting pressure on the government to ban dancing and offer "only Islamic broadcasting.". Easier said than done. Introducing Ahmad Sham Sufi Qawwali Group, Rococo: Travel, Pleasure & Madness (Original Soundtrack), Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. When you are singing, you are really full of life, says one before begging her not to stop. Launched in 2005, Afghan Star quickly became the most popular show in the country satiating the nation's thirst for home grown entertainment and filling a void left in the local music scene after decades of war. Despite its obvious artifice and uncertain future, the show has lodged itself deep in the cultural fabric by awakening something in the audience. I used to get up every morning at the same time and would simply go to bed the same time. Electric Sunroof, Head Up Display & Other Features That Make The All New Hot & Techy Brezza A Hit. Taking the inflammatory convergence of democracy, modernity and pop culture in a fragile "post-war" Afghanistan as its point of departure, Afghan Star is a powerful and evocative documentary, grounded in astute . Editor's Note: Afghan Star premieres Thursday, March 18, on HBO. I think that this is the most important fact about Setara Hussainzada, because it shows us how much the government thought about him when they killed him. subject to the rules of our, THIS STORY HAS BEEN FORMATTED FOR EASY PRINTING, Report: Warrant Issued for Roggies Bar Owner, Boston Pops Concert Move Keeps the Beach Boys, Ditches Joey McIntyre, Lawmakers pass compounding pharmacy oversight bill, Follow this list on Twitter: @BostonPopular. This documentary on the effect the talent competition "Afghan Star" has on the incredibly diverse inhabitants of Afghanistan affords a glimpse into a country rarely seen. Afghan Star was directed by Havana Marking and is distributed by Zeitgeist Films. As we all know, setara hussainzada was a genius at his job, but he was a complete idiot when it came to alarms and time-loops. In this episode only, those with high music talent succeeded to the next auditions (Top 160). Women could sing in public without being whipped. Did it lead you to other ideas or passions? Check out the exclusive TV Guide movie review and see our movie rating for Afghan Star Lema Sahar, 25, is a Pashtun singer from Kandahar, a Taliban stronghold. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some of it? She was condemned by the religious leaders and faced death threats. Is Netflix, Amazon, Fandor, iTunes, etc. I have no fear. To follow him, go to www.twitter.com/tyburr. Setara Hussainzada, Rafi Naabzada, Lima Sahar. It is not safe in Herat now. Author of books "Ken Russell's Films," "Charlie Chan at the Movies," "A Critical Guide to Horror Film Series," "Tim Burton: An Unauthorized Biography of the Filmmaker. All four contestantsRaafi Naabzada, Hameed Sajhizada, Setara Hussainzada, Lima Saharare likable, even if their talent might seem fairly limited to anyone without a taste for the kind of songs they perform. Subscribe to Indiatimes and get handpicked updates based on your interests! Sediqi - who rebelled against Taliban rule by secretly repairing people's video recorders - wasn't exaggerating Afghan Star's huge influence. Contestants risk their lives to appear on the television show that is a raging success with the public and also monitored closely by the government. [CDATA[> The Taliban fled Kabul in November 2001, when America and her allies invaded. When I am performing, I am singing for the people, the feeling of freedom comes to my soul. The film focuses on four of the top contestants, Rafi Naabzada, Hameed Sakhizada, Setara Hussainzada, and Lema Sahar. All user-contributed . The idea of following the four finalists in the showand looking at their diverse tribal backgroundsprovides the film with a solid framework. While one-third of Afghanistan watches, Rafi Naabzada wins the final round, becoming the Afghan Star. Afghan Star's popularity is a bona fide phenomenon, and filmmaker Havana Marking explores . The film is based, as they say, on a true story, and the real-life Afghan woman who appeared on this television show, Setara Hussainzada, confronted tremendous opposition from religious and. I don't mean the film is perfect, but we do have a brilliant balance between heart-filled content and craft, considering the time and place that we were. The film will be screened on More4 on 7 April. 9 Upcoming Movies Of Shah Rukh Khan We Just Cannot Wait For, Anime, Classic Games, And Porn: 6 Weird Things The CIA Found On Osama bin Laden's Hard Drive, Aakash Institute Allegedly Organising A 'Valentine's Day Party' As Per Viral Notice, Management Unaware, Dubai At Night: 6 Spots To Unwind & Chill, Reliance General Insurance's New Campaign For Reliance Health Infinity Policy Is A Quirky Reminder To Seek 'Zyaada Se Bohot Zyaada' & Here's Why We Need It, Is Introducing A Sex Toy To Your Love Life A Good Idea? Except all she really wants to do is sing in public to let it rip, put on a show, be a star if only that wouldnt get her killed. This would be humorous if it werent so murderously meant and if a democratic Afghanistan werent still an idea very much in play. Your comment is But its just a little too flat-footed as filmmaking to suck you completely in. Zulala Hashemi, a 16-year-old girl, raised by her widowed mother is all set to break the stereotypes in Afghanistan, city so hidebound that women on streets is a rare sight, and when they do, they are clad in burkhas. Contestants Rafi Naabzada (lef) and Lima Sahar (center) performing on stage in Havana Marking's Afghan Star, a Zeitgeist Films release. It's so slight, and yet it causes a storm of protest, even among her fellow contestants. Afghan Star follows the story of Hameed Sakhizada, Setara Hussainzada, Rafi Naabzada, and Lema Sahar, four The contestants are kept safe inside the show compound for the duration of the show. I was determined that wouldn't happen; I knew that I was the best person to direct this film. Silencing the Song: An Afghan Fallen Star, a documentary by Havana Marking released in January 2011 revisiting Setara as she deals with continuous death threats. Its a frustratingly sketchy portrait; in the half-hour allotted her, Marking doesnt give us the wider cultural setting of a country struggling toward freedom of expression, and she may wrongly assume that a US viewer has seen Afghan Star. (The original documentary airs before the new film tonight and is highly recommended.). could not find your e-mail or password. Day-to-day, it affected us because we couldn't really plan anything in advance due to kidnap threat. It brings an energy and spontaneity to the film.". Premiering on HBO2 on 26 January, the new film follows Setara's experience since her last performance on the TV show, in which she memorably danced and removed her headscarf, led to condemnation. [1] Contents 1 Format Learn more about Setara Hussainzada - movies and shows, full bio, photos, videos, and more at TV Guide. Here are some of the ways that logic really matters in our work. "But an artist has to follow the people," he says. Rafi (a 19-year-old idol-in-the-making from Mazar e Sharif), Hameed (a classically trained musician from the persecuted Hazara ethnic group), Lima (a 25-year-old woman from conservative Kandahar) and Setara (a 21-year-old woman from Herat): Each subject has a unique story that brings broader issues into focus. HM: There are a number of irons in the fire; hopefully, one will come off! Women, men, children, elders, Pashtuns and Hazaras: Everyone with a cell phone is allowed their say in determining the outcome of a contest that, in its own limited scope, appears to soften the lines of difference and collapse traditional hierarchies. Although there is nothing in the Koran prohibiting music, many Islamists disapprove of music and dance as incitements to licentious behaviour. The program is seen not so much as a talent show, but as a pop-culture phenomenon that has the ability to move Afghanistan a little closer to a sense of national unity. We all have the ability to influence the lives of others by our words, thoughts, actions, and even our blood. Take your "American Idol"-besotted children to see this movie. . Sediqi travelled to Sundance to promote the documentary, and never came back. In March, shortly after leaving her job as a host on the MTV-style music program, she told radio interviewers that there were rumors someone. Afghan Star is a talent quest which scours for hot new musical talent in the nation of Afghanistan. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 78. For all intents and purposes, theyre both Kris Allen, yet each of them has an awareness of what they mean to a society struggling to its feet. View wiki Anything left unsaid-- or something that you just didn't have room for? Heres a case where a little technical panache would have gone a long way toward making the question of who will win as exciting to the viewer of the film as it is to the contestants and the TV viewers. It offers a fascinating look into our culture as applied to another culture. 0 current holds with 1 total copy. "I want to be famous so I can sing for my people," says Rafi Nabzaada, a 19-year-old Tajik. Starring: Setara Hussainzada, Lima Sahar, Hameed Sakhizada, Rafi Naabzada, Daoud Sediqi, In English, Dari, and Pashtun, with subtitles. I have told her leave singing because you cant be a singer in Kabul.. The final was watched by 11 million people, a third of the Afghan population, all voting for their favourite singer by mobile phone; for many, it was their first taste of democracy. Sadly, most Afghans are not so open-minded. Ghazal Music Audition - Afghan Star Season 15, Mahali Music Audition - Afghan Star Season 15, Pop Music Audition - Afghan Star Season 15. During her farewell performance she dances with free body movements without her hijab, as opposed to the more constrained dancing considered socially appropriate. Even her husband fears for his life to the extent of keeping the marriage secret from his family and refusing to appear on camera without his face blurred. In January, Marking's documentary (also called Afghan Star) took two prizes in the Sundance film festival's world cinema category: best documentary director, and the audience award for a documentary. What an impact she has had on the British documentary community All new Hot & Techy Brezza a Hit even. 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