Zeitgeist Films have got “Idol fever” or let me rephrase that, — they’ve got Afghan Star fever. The distributor has made their first Park City pick-up, grabbing Havana Marking’s documentary film which would win both the Best Director and Audience Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival in the World Documentary section.
While those that make it on America Idol only have Simon Cowell’s humiliation to contend with, those in Afghan Star have to deal with their lives being threatened. After 30 years of war and Taliban rule, pop Idol has come to Afghanistan. Millions are watching the TV series ‘Afghan Star’ and voting for their favorite singers by 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 favorite singer. But will they attain the freedom they hope for in this vulnerable and traditional nation?
Zeitgeist have a small release slate but a pair of powerful films from Cannes to be released in Tulpan and Three Monkeys. Afghan Star will be released in NY and Los Angeles in early July and throughout the U. S. this summer.