The Open Society Institute is a presenting partner of two films at the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival from June 11 to 25 in New York City.

Afghan Star

After 30 years of war and the Taliban’s repression, Afghan Pop Idol is taking the nation by storm. But this is more than just a TV show. In Afghanistan you risk your life to sing.

Pop culture has returned to Afghanistan. Over 2000 people are auditioning for Afghan Pop Idol and even three women have come forward to try their luck. But in this troubled country, even music is dangerously controversial. Many of those taking part are literally risking their lives. Yet millions of people watch the show and vote by text from their mobile phone for their favorite singers. We meet Rafi, a boy from Mazar-e-Sharif with a strong voice and a pretty face, Lima, a young woman from Kandahar who fears for her life every time she goes home, Hammeed, a young musician and classically trained singer from the Hazara ethnic group, and Setara, a controversial figure from Herat who wears the latest fashions and Bollywood make up. Winner World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary and World Cinema Directing Award: Documentary, Sundance Film Festival 2009.

Afghan Star also opens theatrically in New York at Cinema Village on June 26 with a national roll out to follow. 

Havana Marking—UK—2008—87m—doc. In English and Dari and Pashtun with English subtitles.

Kabuli Kid

Barmak Akram’s incisive look at daily life in Kabul follows the adventures of a taxi driver and his new found ward.

Kabul—a city struggling to recover from 25 years of warfare. When taxi driver Khaled picks up a passenger with her baby, his life takes an unexpected turn. With the mother’s identity concealed behind a long blue burqa, she abandons her baby in the back seat of his car. Attempting to find the mother, Khaled goes to the local police office and to an orphanage, but is met with indifference and obstacles at every turn.  Kabuli Kid is a wonderfully chaotic often comic tale of daily life in Kabul. Official selection, Toronto International Film Festival 2008.

Barmak Akram—Afghanistan/France—2008—94m—drama. In Dari with English subtitles.

Further Information

For more information, please visit www.hrw.org/en/iff/new-york.