In this episode only, those with high music talent succeeded to the next auditions (Top 160). She crafts things perfectly and still keeps all the the spirit and emotion. We all have power, but not all of us use it wisely. 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. 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. 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. As the nation attempts to find peace after decades of conflict, 'Afghan Star' follows the screening of a 'Pop Idol' style television program, apparently gripping the nation. "I want to be famous so I can sing for my people," says Rafi Nabzaada, a 19-year-old Tajik. Director: Havana Marking. His company was involved in a massive lawsuit with the government that ultimately ended his life. Although music was still permitted on radio and TV, musicians were required to support the regime. The results are sadly lackluster, even if the concept and the intent are admirable. Documentary: You've mentioned that you had long been interested in Afghanistan and had heard about the talent show from a journalist. 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. Setara Hussainzada was one of the first people to lose his life while working for a company that was a competitor of his former employer. For more information, click here. Hussainzada, not so much. She said she had feelings on the stage, as she had already been evicted (votes decide who stays). See production, box office & company info, [after Setara adds dance moves to her song], Silencing the Song: An Afghan Fallen Star. Now I have a set alarm clock (more accurately, it keeps me up late) and dont have a problem getting up because I know exactly when it is. [CDATA[> D: Were there overt threats to your safety? Add artwork, Do you know any background info about this album? Following more than three decades of war and five devastating years of Taliban rule, pop culture is beginning to return to Afghanistan. AFGHAN STAR (director: Havana Marking; cinematographer: Phil Stebbing; editor: Ash Jenkins; music: Simon Russell; cast: Setara Hussainzada, Rafi Nabaazda, Hameed Sahkizada, Lema Sehar, Daoud Sediqi; Runtime: 87; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Havana Marking; Zeitgeist Films; 2009-UK/Afghanistan-English, Dari and Pashtun with English subtitles) 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. But its just a little too flat-footed as filmmaking to suck you completely in. 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. This would be humorous if it werent so murderously meant and if a democratic Afghanistan werent still an idea very much in play. Afghan Star inspires, entertains and gives hope to a thriving young nation healing . Seguido por unos 11 millones de personas en todo el pas, Rafi Nabzada, Lima Sahar, Setara Hussainzada y Hamid Shakhizada compiten por conseguir su sueo, convertirse en el cantante ms famoso de Afganistn. I can only hope to follow that path. The film, funded by More4 and the BritDoc Foundation, receives its British premiere in London this Friday. As broadcast networks blossomed, Tolo TV built Afghan Star explicitly on the American Idol model. During her farewell performance she dances with free body movements without her hijab, as opposed to the more constrained dancing considered socially appropriate. Your comment is The film focuses on four of the top contestants, Rafi Naabzada, Hameed Sakhizada, Setara Hussainzada, and Lema Sahar. 1 of 1 copy available at Berklee College of Music. The third episode of Afghan Star Season 15 featured the Ghazal auditions. The fact that two made the final 10 suggests a little positive discrimination was employed (judges whittle the numbers down to 10; text-messaging then decides the winner). Setara Hussainzada is from Herat and probably also Tajik. The program broadcasts on the TOLO channel. She has started her life as a mother, still hoping to be a pop-music idol someday. I went to Afghanistan in January 2002, just a few months after the Taliban fled Kabul, to make a documentary for the BBC about the return of music to the capital. Daoud Sadiqi, the affable host and emcee, waves the Taliban away with a snap of his fingers and calls contestants--dancing or not--"just characters I can make a better culture with." Because of this, it became a crime in the late 1990s todance or listen to music or to watch TV. When her head scarf slips off, she does not replace it. In the final 10, selected by the judges, there were two women. So his family were asleep for a few hours and when they woke up they saw him lying in the hallway. Movies. The security situation meant that, for fear of kidnap, Marking couldn't set anything up in advance. Refusing to contain her emotions, she moves her body in anticipation of her voice, briefly improvising a modest dance step. What sets Afghan Star apart from other singing reality shows is the mammoth participation by women, hailing from such an orthodox state. The mother and daughter duo disappear into anonymity once the show recording is over. Floral Dresses To Chic Bags - Heres How I Refreshed My Summer Closet From Flipkart On A Budget! I used to get up every morning at the same time and would simply go to bed the same time. On this audition, the Ghazal fans from all over the country participated to show their talents in order to satisfy the judges for getting a success card which advances them to the next steps of auditions and finally to the top 12. HM: Daoud Sadiqi, Afghan Star's presenter, who recently sought asylum in the US, has just been granted asylum, which is great news for him and I am very happy. The idea of following the four finalists in the showand looking at their diverse tribal backgroundsprovides the film with a solid framework. Episode 04 - Kandahar & Nangarhar Auditions. | Countries - Afghanistan, United Kingdom | MPAA Rating - NR 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. Here's an article from the July 2009 Documentary Online in conjunction with the film's theatrical run in June and July. Man in the street: [after Setara adds dance moves to her song] She should be killed. Mostly Islamist in outlook, the Mujahideen placed restrictions on music and outlawed women singers. I just want to be a famous singer.". Despite its obvious artifice and uncertain future, the show has lodged itself deep in the cultural fabric by awakening something in the audience. While one contestant emerges as the indisputable heroine, music is the first subject of the film, and protagonists and filmmakers alike want us to see it as they do: powerful, transformative, essential. // ]]]]>