Afghan Star

Cultural Diplomacy and the "Oh, I Didn't Know That" Factor

Cynthia P. Schneider | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Islam, Uae, MOST Resource, Sundance Institute, Winter's Bone, Muslims, Cultural Diplomacy, President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH), Abu Dhabi, Iraq, Afghanistan, Son of Babylon, Afghan Star, Adach, Entertainment News
Cynthia P. Schneider

In a globalized world where the powers of military might and diplomatic finesse have diminished, "Oh, I didn't know that" moments of cross cultural understanding can make a difference.

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HBO's Documentary Afghan Star Premieres This Month

Nate C. Hindman | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: American Idol, Afghan Star, Afghanistan Documentary, Afghanistan War, Entertainment News
Nate C. Hindman

Donning white suits and diamond-studded hijabs, young liberal Afghans gather in Kabul to compete for a singing title. Havana Marking's cameras follow the contestants, audience-members, and the host during a season of the televised pop-idol show.

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INTERVIEW: Filmmaker Havana Marking On The Dangers Of Being An 'Afghan Star' (VIDEO)

Diane Tucker | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Afghan Culture, Sundance Film Festival, Political Asylum, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Beyonce, Democracy, Documentaries, Taliban, Diane Tucker, Slumdog Millionaire, Mujahideen, Afghanistan War, Havana Marking, Daoud Siddiqi, Pop Idol, Tolo TV, American Idol, Afghan Taliban, Afghan Star, Lema, Setara, Saad Mohseni, Jahid Mohseni, World News
Diane Tucker

"Watching young girls with only one mobile phone in the house debate about who to cast that one vote for -- it was pretty powerful. It wasn't a presidential election, but it was the idea that these girls had a role to play..."

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HBO's Marion Barry Movie and Silverdocs: Reality Shows for Smart People

Art Levine | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Hbo, Silverdocs, Best Worst Movie, Documentaries, Marion Barry, Afghan Star, October Country, Entertainment News
Art Levine

Nine Lives of Marion Barry illustrates the unique power of documentaries. They satisfy our cravings for true stories without the cheesy qualities that have so degraded the reality shows on TV.

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Sundance Film Afghan Star Incredible

Jim Luce | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Kabul, Islam, Sundance Film Festival, Islamic Council, Britain?S Got Talent, Pakistan, United Nations, Adam Lambert, The Kite Runner, Democracy, Mathew Luce, Film, Dari, Oprah Winfrey, Muslim, Havana Marks, Pashtun, Herat, Taliban, Documentary, Rachel Reid, Pop Idol, Dance, Afghanistan, Sharia, Ismail Khan, American Idol, Afghan Star, Incredible, Mujahiddeen, Barack Obama, World News
Jim Luce

Afghan Star is the perfect window into a country's tenuous, ongoing struggle for modernity. What I would normally consider frivolous entertainment is downright revolutionary here.

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The Media Effect

Pat Mitchell | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Paley Center for Media, Television, Afghan Media, The Paley Center, Media, Afghanistan, Afghan Star, Media News
Pat Mitchell

Isn't it time to end the debate about whether or not media shapes society or merely mirrors it and consider the real life examples of media as a singularly powerful agent of change.

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Afghan Stars at Sundance

Havana Marking | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Dauoud Seddiqi, Ryan Seacrest, Sundance Film Festival, Afghanistan, Jubilation, Kabul, Documentaries, Film Festivals, Film, British, Movies, Happiness, Filmmaking, Sundance 2009, Documentary, American Idol, Sundance, Excitement, Afghan Star, Music, Teenagers, Singing, Video, Entertainment News
Havana Marking

Last Saturday night, we were presented two awards by the good people of Sundance. it was the first time an Afghan film had made it there, and the people of Afghanistan were over the moon.

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"Afghan Star" TV Show Embraced By Fans, Condemned By Clerics

Reuters | Hamid Shalizi | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Afghan Star, Afghanistan TV, Media News

Hundreds of fans clamored on Tuesday to catch a glimpse of their favorite finalists from the TV show "Afghan Star," Afghanistan's version of "America...

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