Afghan Star - Post Reaction

I just recently finished watching Afghan Star, and I rather enjoyed for its quality and its real-life issues it brings to attention.

Our three contestant singers (and protagonists) who make it to the final stage are Habib Amiri, Setara Hussainzada, and Rafi Naabzada. Each participant comes from a different part of Afghanistan and a different tribe. While we come to expect that there will be religious tensions and rivalry, the remaining finalists plea for Afghan unity.

As most of us know, for the past decade or so the Taliban in the Middle East has heavily constricted the rights and freedoms of civilians. Any musical or artistic expressions are illegal and subject for punishment by the governing body. When Setara dances during her final performance, she disobeys a strongly defended and supported government law.

Before you know it, Setara is running for her life as the Taliban are supposedly in close pursuit. Although we never really know what would happen if she ever did get caught by the Taliban, as viewers we usually assume the worst.  Luckily for the morale of the audience, we learn that Setara becomes safe from danger as she stays in exile in the confines of a home. Meanwhile, as Afghan Star comes to its finale, it becomes understandable why this television show is so important to the Afghani people. They are all so enthralled, obsessed, and invested in the show that they completely forget about the current political and social state of their country. As the performers are being interviewed for documentary purposes, they talk about how music and singing allow them to express themselves and be happy. This is the hope for the future of Afghanistan and the Middle East.

As a teenager living in the United States, I can certainly make a cultural bridge to Afghanistan and the protagonists in the film. To say Afghanistan and the U.S. are very different countries is not an exaggeration or overstatement. The geography, religion, political system, and society in general of the two countries are such polar-opposites right now that it’s difficult to find similarities to make connections. For one thing, Americans and Afghanis find happiness and expression through the arts. In fact, this is to say that the whole human race has this same quality/characteristic. Although I am not personally passionate about music, I find refuge in good music and I really enjoy listening to and making music as well. Also, I am very much a competitor when it comes to contests that include high stakes. The finalists all have some sort of competitive spirit in them, which in turn helps keep them stay motivated and persistent through the long campaign.

In conclusion, I learned a lot from Afghan Star and I thoroughly enjoyed the foreign film (and the performances of the contestants).

I guess the last thing I have to say is…”Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World” –Neil Young

P.S. I know the song itself doesn’t apply, but the title of it does!