Afghan Star

Following the Contestants of a Pop Music Competition in Afghanistan

After thirty years of war and five devastating years of Taliban rule, pop culture is beginning to return to Afghanistan. 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.

Two thousand people audition, including three extremely brave women. And when viewers vote for their favorites via cell phone, it is, for many, their first encounter with the democratic process. Havana Marking's timely and moving film follows the dramatic stories of four young finalists-two men and two women-as they hazard everything to become the nation's favorite performer.

Winner of Directing and Audience Awards in the World Documentary competition at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival

One of the most hopeful and heart-rending movies I've seen this year." - Ty Burr, The Boston Globe