In the comments thread to a recent post presenting an image of Afghanistan that doesn’t focus on war, violence, and misery, a Reader by the name of “S” linked to a documentary called Afghan Star. The film documents an American Idol-style competition, one that places contestants at risk of violence, but also engenders intense devotion from some Afghanis. It reveals another side of Afghanistan that Americans typically do not see.
The trailer:
Thanks to Myaisha for catching the comment!
Lisa Wade, PhD is an Associate Professor at Tulane University. She is the author of American Hookup, a book about college sexual culture; a textbook about gender; and a forthcoming introductory text: Terrible Magnificent Sociology. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Comments 12
Anonymous — October 13, 2010
It is incredible that in the 21st century anyone would think that there are specific Islamic rules about singing. But it does give an indication as to what the United Nations and the U.S. of A. are up against. If some people in Afghanistan would seriously think it is o.k. to shoot someone for participating in public singing on t.v. then that attitude is quite distant from any kind of modernity, much less postmodernity. I do hope the winner of Afghan Star is not persecuted or harmed. I tend toward a kind of Gandhian social philosophy but the thought of banning popular singing strikes me as something that is mainly based on ignorance, not true Islamic religious devotion.
Irene Rojas — October 14, 2010
I think I saw this at the True/False film festival. Interesting. Go see it if you can.
Alisa — October 14, 2010
The people in Afghanistan are Afghans. Their unit of currency is the Afghani.
Friday Link Roundup #19 | No Forbidden Questions — October 15, 2010
[...] on the show Afghan Star must fear for their lives because many Afghans believe their singing is forbidden by Islam and punishable by death. At least there are others who are devoted fans of the program. (Hmm, never [...]
Afghan Star (Pop Idol) | iconophilia — October 17, 2010
[...] very watchable alternative view of life in Afghanistan Print, Subscribe, add to Favourites, Tweet and [...]