Stars and Scarves

Last year the Oscar for Best Picture went to "Slumdog Millionaire", a film that used the international television hit, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire", as its anchor. Since then, "American Idol" has become the dominant force of American television. "Afghan Star", the Afghanistan version of "American Idol", shows us that people everywhere, even in that war-torn country, are in love with becoming famous and watching people trying to become famous. Bombs might be falling, snipers may be looking to pick you off, the Taliban may be threatening people with beheadings, but the chance to become famous trumps it all.

Havana Marking's documentary invites us in to watch the contestants, the audiences, and the populace in general, as they all get caught up in the fever. One difference from the American version of the show is that the culture there frowns upon a lot of what the show presents. Because of this, it's not just a talent contest, it's also a way to view the Afghan people in a way we never get to see. They are no longer faceless, joyless, religious fanatics. Instead they have the same concerns that we do: finding a mate, having fun, earning a living etc.

Under the Taliban, dancing and singing were banned. Now that they are in retreat, at least in Kabul, enjoying life outwardly has been restored to a limited degree. Even in the relatively free Kabul, the fundamentals of Islam are greatly restrictive on many things we take for granted. The rest of Afghanistan is still living under much stricter rules.

Setara Hussainzada is a twenty-something female contestant who makes it to the finals. During one of her performances she dances and removes her scarf. Death threats follow and she is forced to live in protective custody. Not even Simon Cowell is that harsh. The finale had a viewership share that would make television executives here drool. One third of the entire population of Afghanistan tuned in.

"Afghan Star" is professionally put together and generates marginal excitement in the actual contest. It is very far from great but I always appreciate a peek inside a country or culture that I don't have any access to. From an entertainment perspective, this rates a lukewarm vote of confidence. As a cultural piece, it rates a pretty decent affirmative. The overwhelming feeling I walked away with was one of hope, tempered with more than a grain of the notion that things may not be getting better all that quickly.