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Afghan Star (2009)
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Reviews Counted:49
Fresh:49
Rotten:0
Average Rating:7.7/10
Consensus: An enlightening and sobering documentary on Afghanistan’s very own X-Factor.
Theatrical Release:Jun 26, 2009 Limited
Synopsis: In Afghanistan you risk your life to sing. After 30 years of war and Taliban rule, pop culture has returned to the country—and since 2005, millions are tuning in to Tolo TV’s wildly popular... [More]
Director: Havana Marking
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Reviews for Afghan Star
| Tomatometer | Critic | Review | Category |
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 3/5 |
One of the more surreal docs to come down the pike in some time. Full Review |
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4/5 |
Afghanistan's version of American Idol shines a spotlight on a culture in transition. Fascinating -- especially when it comes to the experiences of the woman who's risking her reputation and social standing in order to sing. Full Review |
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B- |
It's an upbeat film, though hardly a convincing one, that shows there's more to the popular TV show than entertainment. Full Review |
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3/4 |
The filmmaking itself is pretty much by the numbers...But there's some genuine tension as the competition field narrows. Full Review |
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3/4 |
The film's essential fascination and integrity swamp any qualms about its pacing or all-around moviemaking. Full Review |
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7/10 |
...by the end of the 88 minute journey you'll learn more about contemporary Afghanistan than you will from a month of watching television news in the United States. Full Review |
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3/4 |
Of all the films to come out of the conflict, Afghan Star is the most provocative, because its message that people are essentially the same is a dubious, double-edge sword. Full Review |
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6/10 |
Marking has a good eye for capturing the contradictions of Afghanistan. Full Review |
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4/4 |
Like The Kite Runner novel and movie, the documentary Afghan Star succeeds at dramatizing the lives of Afghans, but those we see on screen are real flesh-and-blood characters -- people who let their true feelings emerge. Full Review |
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3/4 |
An informative documentary revealing how decades of war and years of Taliban repression have fallen to the wayside, however briefly, as Kabul's answer to American Idol seduces a violence-weary Afghanistan. Full Review |
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3.5/5 |
This documentary about the Afghani version of American Idol is good and worth a look, but I was never swept up by it emotionally. Full Review |
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4/4 |
One of the most hopeful and heart-rending movies I’ve seen this year. Full Review |
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3/4 |
Director Havana Marking's work is quite moving, particularly when it follows two of the three women who compete with nearly 2000 male applicants for the title. Full Review |
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4/5 |
This eye-opening film reveals that even systems as dubious as the Idol format mean dramatically different things when transferred to radically dissimilar cultures. Full Review |
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A- |
...insightful document that gives you so much more than the well-done look at a reality show. Full Review |
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3.5/4 |
Havana Marking's excellent, illuminating film follows four Afghan Star finalists over the frenetic final months leading to the Moment of Truth. Full Review |
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A- |
Marking follows four contestants for the three months leading up to "Afghan Star's" finale and, while there are some amusing parallels to "American Idol," it is also clear Glambert would risk stoning had he been performing in Afghanistan. Full Review |
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In its vivid, suspenseful depiction of a high-stakes competition for prize money and the honor of being named Afghanistan's top singer, Afghan Star goes much deeper. Full Review |
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3/4 |
A pleasantly uplifting film, one built upon hope and the strength of the human spirit. Full Review |
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3/4 |
Afghan Star reveals that the Afghan people strongly crave to make up for years lost to Taliban repression and catch up with the 21st century. Full Review |
CommentLatest News for Afghan Star
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