Afghan Star

As if getting on stage before millions and risking the insults of Simon Cowell weren’t bad enough, imagine if you had the Taliban sending you death threats just for appearing on “American Idol.”

“Afghan Star” is very much like its American counterpart, except for the shoestring budget. The titular documentary, playing for one week only at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center, chronicles the lives of four contestants vying for the cash prize, record deal, and title of “Afghan Star.”

The film opens with the sobering image of a blind little boy singing a pop tune. He says that music makes his sadness disappear. A boy next to him adds, “If there was no music the world would be silent.” Music is probably more special to them than most of us can appreciate – up until recently, being caught singing could result in death.

Since 1979 Afghanistan has suffered civil wars and has been oppressed under the Taliban rule. Music was considered disrespectful and sacrilegious, and from 1996, it was a crime to dance, listen to music, or watch television.

With the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in place, the country had elections in 2004, and music and dancing were okay once again. A huge boon of television stations appeared and one popular program to emerge was “Afghan Star.”

A program that passes for thoughtless entertainment in the U.S. is nothing short of revolutionary over there. Viewers can vote for their favorite contestants via text message, which the first time many Afghanis have experienced democracy.

The competition is open to anyone despite gender or age. Two women bravely participate on the program. After losing, one of them removes her veil and does a modest dance during her final performance – shocking actions that threaten her safety, bringing her several death threats.

Besides encouraging the democratic process, the show advances national unity. Tribal disputes are set aside when people of all sects vote for their favorite contestants. One fan is so loyal to his idol that he’s willing to sell his car so he can buy more SIM cards for his phone, which equals more texted votes.

The story of “Afghan Star” is fascinating for several reasons, but mostly because of the parallels with its American counterpart. Albeit the show’s popularity in the States, the program is devoid of meaning except for contestants’ hunger for their own 15 minutes. In Afghanistan, the show represents the reemergence of popular culture and anticipation of a unified nation.

It’s important to see what Afghanistan is like now and where it has been. I think that our perceptions of region are highly skewed, and this film shows just a peek of what life is like on the other side. “Afghan Star” is worth viewing for the much needed reminder that there are real human beings in the Middle East. The story about the actual “Afghan Star” show is just icing on the cake.

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