Afghan Star 2008

Ben Lyons, At the Movies: This is about an Afghan culture that is at a real turning point. Read more

Stephen Holden, New York Times: The movie uses the talent show Afghan Star as a prism through which to examine the fragmented tribal culture of Afghanistan as reflected in the backgrounds of four finalists (two of them women) and the public responses to their performances. Read more

Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times: 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. Read more

Noel Murray, AV Club: If nothing else, Afghan Star offers a reminder of how much has changed in Afghanistan from the late '70s -- when Kabul was a secular-oriented city with co-ed universities and a thriving nightclub scene -- to the rise of the Taliban. Read more

Ty Burr, Boston Globe: One of the most hopeful and heart-rending movies I've seen this year. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: This eye-opening film reveals that even systems as dubious as the Idol format mean dramatically different things when transferred to radically dissimilar cultures. Read more

Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor: Read more

Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: 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. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: Fascinating and, when you see Afghan versions of Simon Cowell and Co. reacting to tryouts, a reminder of how fame and the thirst for it is the same in any language. Read more

V.A. Musetto, New York Post: British filmmaker Havana Marking's entertaining first feature documentary. Read more

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: Havana Marking's excellent, illuminating film follows four Afghan Star finalists over the frenetic final months leading to the Moment of Truth. Read more

Jonathan Curiel, San Francisco Chronicle: 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. Read more

Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: 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. Read more

David Fear, Time Out: While its style and structure conform to the well-worn template established by docs like Spellbound, its success lies in creating an accessible, fun way into serious issues. Read more

Sarah Cohen, Time Out: And while its style and structure conform to the well-worn template established by docs like 'Spellbound', its success lies in creating an accessible, fun way into serious issues. Read more

Ella Taylor, Village Voice: If you think it's impossible to underestimate the cultural significance of American Idol, go see British filmmaker Havana Marking's documentary about its Afghani imitator. Read more

Ann Hornaday, Washington Post: 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. Read more