Havana Marking

This documentary tracks the arrival of Pop Idol into Afghanistan after 30 years of war and Taliban rule. Under the Taliban music was outlawed. But today, millions gather weekly to watch the TV series, Afghan Star, and vote for their favourite singers, some of them female, on their mobile phone. For many this is their first encounter with democracy. This timely film follows the dramatic stories of four contestants as they risk all to become the nation's favourite singer. Havana recounts how the filming unfolded to make it a modern-day thriller. "When one woman danced on stage and allowed her head scarf to slip all hell broke loose: ultimately both her life and the future of the show was threatened. Their futures in turn came to symbolise that of the fragile nation itself."

Year of Entry: 2009
Category: Main Prize
Artform: Film
Location: Afghanistan
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