Afghan Star (2009) Movie Script
Go on...
Sing!
My heart.
Is searching for love.
My heart.
Is feeling the mountains oflove.
My heart understands the world.
My heart understands
the strong and the weak.
You have more love for people.
My heart, don't cry.
My heart, don't cry.
Because of good and bad people.
My heart is full oflove and loving.
When I listen to music...
I feel...
I feel really happy.
Someone can listen to music.
...and his good mood will return.
His sadness will disappear.
If there was no music,
humans would be sad.
There would be nothing.
So what do you say about this?
If there was no singing...
...then the world would be silent.
They are the same words.
We're late to watch Afghan Star.
We're going to watch Afghan Star.
We're late.
We're running late.
We must go watch Afghan Star.
A big cheer for your new music stars!
Welcome to this round of Afghan Star.
With this program we can
give the feeling of peace.
Our aim is to take people's hands
from weapons to music.
These are the forms of the contestants
from all over Afghanistan.
There are more than 2000 people
in the competition.
...and even three women are taking part.
So that's a great success
for the program.
The first one ready for the test.
...is our dear sister.
From today the public can vote
for their favorite contestant.
Poor people, rich people,
women and men, everyone.
It's a new idea and
the Afghan people like it.
Who are you voting for?
Don't let them in
without their tickets.
I'm telling you to get out.
When you plug this one in.
...it doesn't work anymore.
It's like a fuse.
Five, four...
...three, two, one.
Welcome, everyone watching Tolo TV...
...especially to you fans of Afghan Star.
Tell me, who do you support?
Right now for you.
Rafi Naabzada
will sing his song.
No one among these revellers.
Knows what is going on in me.
No one among these revellers.
Knows what is going on in me.
I'm sad in my heart.
But there's a smile on my lips.
I want to be famous and happy.
...so I can sing for my people.
Our people are war-torn.
They are tired of fighting,
weapons and guns.
People want reconstruction...
...so they can reach
a new Afghanistan.
Now Lema Sahar will sing for you.
Come my love slowly on the roof.
I have a tattoo on my chin.
It is late afternoon.
Singing is not a bad thing...
...but it's not in religion.
If you look at religion,
music is not there.
It is banned by religion.
But why should we hide it?
If I do not sing,
what else can I do?
Singing is in my tradition.
I just close my eyes
and pass through it.
My love is a Hindu.
But I am a Muslim.
Because of my love
I sweep the temple.
Black magic man
bring your holy water.
And make a spell for me.
I really love pop music...
...but when I was a child...
I loved classical music
and wanted to study it.
Maybe I will make my name
in classical music.
But an artist has
to follow the people.
If the people want pop,
I have to give them pop.
The bend.
The bend of your eyebrows
is like the sting of the scorpion.
What can I do?
They belong to someone else.
The bend of your eyebrows
is like the sting of the scorpion.
What can I do?
They belong to someone else.
Because I am an artist I believe.
...there is no difference
between a woman and a man.
I am open-minded.
Now there is victory in Afghanistan.
I have no fear.
I just want to be a famous singer.
Cheer for the top 10 Afghan Stars!
Rafi Naabzada step forward.
Lema Sahar.
Hameed Sakhizada.
You are all successful in this round.
Setara.
Today...
...in this show...
...you have made it through.
The person
who received the lowest votes...
Karim Mansouri.
In my opinion,
you should have been first.
I love this song.
Not only this song,
many Ahmed Zahir songs.
But especially this one.
I never get tired of it.
This is Kabul.
Beautiful Kabul. Historical Kabul.
The city that I was born in.
It really does have problems
compared to other cities...
...but there is more democracy here
than the rest of Afghanistan.
There's freedom here,
there's education here...
...more opportunities for work.
I'm used to this place.
I love it very much.
We are now going to a place.
...that in the Taliban times.
...is where I used to have
a secret workshop.
This room did not have a front door.
You entered from that side.
Over here there was a wall.
I used to sit here and fix
all the illegal TVs and videos.
This was my secret room.
My customers were shopkeepers.
At night they would smuggle the TVs in.
...and then they would collect them
and sell them secretly.
They would bring in the broken ones
and take the repaired ones.
If I'd been caught,
my life would've been in danger.
I think that in my life
I've always rebelled.
Afghan Star is also a program like that.
There is risk in Afghanistan.
There are people
telling me straight out:
"What you're doing is not right.
What is this?
You are encouraging
music in Afghanistan. "
But I love doing this
and don't care what they say.
Daoud, when I saw this, I realized...
...that although
we are inexperienced now...
...the show could be presented
like it is in the West.
Afghanistan has different ethnics:
Pashtun, Hazara, people from the north.
These 30 years of war.
All this internal fighting.
Even Kabul was distributed
into five parts.
So it's rare that a Pashtun
supports an Hazara.
Whereas in this show,
a Pashtun does support an Hazara.
By saying, "He's the best. "
This might affect Afghanistan's
national unity for the long term.
There are many ways that you can
persuade people to get together.
Don't listen to others!
Do what an Afghan wants to do.
When the music begins,
the stars will come on stage.
We made this meeting
to get the ideas of everyone.
The cameramen, editors, the director,
the boss and everyone.
When the Taliban regime
came to Afghanistan...
...the TVs were blacked for five years.
TV in the last five years
is like a baby.
...and we have to grow this baby up.
This is my first time in Kabul...
...so I'm visiting the zoo.
I'm very happy to be here.
This is the only pig in Afghanistan!
He's not dangerous.
He's very interesting,
with a big body.
...and tiny little eyes.
During the Taliban time
we were forced to stay at home...
...but now we can
go on stage and sing.
When I'm on the stage...
when I'm performing on stage.
...and singing for the people...
...the feeling of freedom
comes to my soul.
I'm so happy!
And this happiness even
makes me feel like dancing.
When I was a child,
I was interested in modern fashion.
Now I'm on stage...
...it is also great that
I get to show my style.
As a woman living alone in Afghanistan,
it is very difficult.
I mean 100% difficult.
The fact that I am a singer.
...means I face a lot of problems.
So there are lots of things
I must ignore.
...until I reach my goal.
I'm an open-minded person.
So I'm looking for a guy
who is also open-minded.
So we can be honest with each other.
Then he can understand me.
...in happiness and in sadness.
He should be medium height...
...have strong eyebrows.
...that meet in the middle.
And I will love him.
Have you ever kissed
the lips of a boy?
I'm not married...
...so I don't have a man to kiss.
In Afghanistan, the guys
sometimes use the ladies.
A lady will tell a guy, "I love you,"
...and the guy will say it back.
But the man's just thinking
about her body.
The ladies have to be careful.
It's a dangerous problem.
I'm not sure why it's like this.
VOTE FOR RAFI
AS YOURAFGHAN STAR
Slow down for the camera.
Hi. How are you?
It's really good to see you.
TEXT YOUR SMS VOTE
TO THIS NUMBER
I've been living in Mazar-e-Sharif.
It's about 20 years that I've been
living in this neighborhood.
I love these guys like brothers.
Who voted for Rafi?
Everyone.
Raise your hand
if you did not vote for Rafi.
Nobody!
Why are you voting for Rafi?
We support him and we want
everyone to choose him.
We want our young
generation to develop.
Several bad governments came.
Especially the Taliban.
They didn't want music...
...and the young generation
to be modern...
...the culture
and the way of life we had.
The Taliban took us backwards.
Even to the extent that we couldn't
shave our beards or comb our hair.
Therefore, we were left far behind.
When we see the young generation
from other countries...
we don't see why we should be
any less than them.
Now we want a higher level
of art and music.
Our souls were dead.
Now we should wake them up!
Who am I?
Am I a rebel or a crazy man?
I'm the scar oflove.
A story ofloneliness.
I'm not accepted by the Sufi mystics.
Or accepted by the wine bearers.
I'm not accepted by the Sufi mystics.
I'm not accepted by the wine bearers.
Look, it's the Afghan Star!
I have to hurry this interview.
There are security problems
when you become famous.
You must be careful.
There is fierce rivalry in this competition
and something bad could happen.
These days, for every friend
you have 100 enemies.
Please be quick.
He is our favorite star.
As we like his voice,
we are campaigning for him.
All Afghan people like music
so everyone is interested in this program.
We love music.
This country was like a house
that no one was living in.
It felt as though
the city was abandoned.
It was such a terrible time.
Luckily, that time has passed...
...and God willing,
today times are brighter.
I just want to say that
when I next redecorate my bathroom...
I will buy the tiles from this shop.
Dear friends, if you want to know
the power of these materials...
...please use these ceramic tiles.
They are cheap...
...they are quality.
...and they're dependable.
Look, it's Rafi Naabzada!
Good luck in the competition.
Anyone who comes to you
will be granted his wishes.
He will not be disappointed.
This is dear Rafi Naabzada.
...from Tolo TV's Afghan Star.
Until now, he's been successful.
He's my fellow citizen from Balkh...
...so wish him success.
We pray to God that you will
make him number one.
If there was no God,
there would be no leaves on the trees.
If God isn't with you,
you can't do anything in life.
It's with God's kindness.
...that I've reached where I am.
It's very difficult for a Pashtun woman
to become a singer.
- How many colors have you got?
- This one and black.
Let me see it.
This a flirty color.
Do you have one where the neck
is covered? Or one with sleeves?
That's the fashion from India.
In Kandahar, we wear black burkas
that cover the face.
In Kabul, Lema looked like
a suicide bomber.
The Kabul ladies told me...
"This is Kabul, do not cover yourself. "
In Kandahar, I cover myself like this.
It even covers your toes.
It looks like this.
We just have this tiny hole to see through.
My friends tell me,
"You're Pashtun. You're crazy to do this.
You're leaving us for democracy. "
Because of poverty,
I've learned to struggle.
Some people need to struggle
for a good life.
Because of poverty,
I have gotten this far.
I've never practiced music before...
...but now I'm studying
with a popular teacher.
He's asking for a lot of money.
He's scared and has to travel
secretly to my house.
I'm worried about my own safety too.
And because I'm doing this,
my family is also in danger.
We hide the song books
and other things at night.
If the Taliban come in the night...
we have a special place to hide
the computer and everything.
They come at night
to search the houses.
If they find something,
they kill you.
When I become really sad,
I ask Lema to sing for me.
Sorrow comes to me when I remember
my 15-year-old son is dead.
I say, "Come on, play music, my girl!"
And then my sorrow disappears.
Who is your Afghan Star?
Your walk is proud.
When you walk
You take my heart.
You take my heart.
The boy from Logar
walks like a peacock.
May God be merciful
so that people vote for me.
There are no votes coming in for me.
What type of people
won't send SMS?
A rich guy from Kandahar
bought 10,000 SI M cards for Lema.
So he can do a campaign to SMS for her.
There is another guy who is going
to campaign for Hameed Sakhizada.
who is going to buy more than 10,000.
He's ready to sell his car
for $6,000 right now
...if someone is ready to buy it
and to buy SI M cards.
And vote for Hameed.
No, it's not gossip.
There is a guy investigating it
and that's why he is selling his car.
He is damn serious.
That's how it happens.
It is fair.
It means people love him.
That is why he is ready to sell his car...
...and spending that huge money
to bring Hameed Sakhizada top.
It means it's love.
He has no relation with him.
He's not his cousin,
or brother, or friend even.
But he's ready to sell his car for him.
It's a little bit mad
and sounds crazy...
...but it is true.
That's campaign.
We don't want to say
that the other stars don't have talent...
...but we love the talent
of Hameed Sakhizada.
We have a few cars
that we've lent to his campaign.
They will drive to all the cities
and hand out his posters.
Sakhizada is from
the Hazara ethnic group.
In our cruel history, the Hazara people.
were not allowed to shine.
But now he has a lot of friends.
...from lots of provinces.
It is the wish of Afghanistan...
...but especially the Hazara...
...that all the tribes in Afghanistan
can be united.
That we should live
together like brothers.
Like everyone does in Afghan Star.
I look terrible.
- Look at what we've prepared.
- They are really great!
When we went to the village to campaign
and saw your posters everywhere...
...it looked like the president
was coming to town.
"Music is our unity. "
Is this more exciting
than parliamentary voting?
Yes. Afghan Star is more exciting.
It captures the love of the people.
There is no pressure on them
to go and vote.
So the people trust
their favorite candidate.
I drove 15 hours in the car
just to come and help.
These are Hameed Sakhizada's posters.
These are some that we've prepared so far.
I love his songs.
I'm in love with his voice.
I want 100% for him to be
the Afghan Star.
I'm Hazara.
I'm from Maidan Wardak.
There are different ethnic groups
in Afghanistan.
Different people, different tribes.
Different nations.
Like Tajik, Pashtun, Pashahi.
And they are all voting for me!
In the past, nobody accepted each other.
They were fighting each other.
The situation is similar today...
...but at least now
we are living under one flag.
...and we should all be called Afghans.
I have the character to be a politician.
To bring peace and harmony
to benefit all the people of Afghanistan.
Hello.
I want to vote for Setara.
She's a good singer
and she's singing really well.
She sings a good song.
Good-bye.
This is Rafi.
This is Lema Sahar.
...and this is Setara.
But Lema doesn't wear
these sexy clothes.
And now Setara.
Compared to the others, Rafi is better.
Really.
When you go on stage,
stand with confidence.
Don't fidget and dance
from foot to foot.
Stand still.
Be confident!
Yes. Hello.
Who do you think
will be voted out today?
I think Setara.
She has a nice voice...
...but her actions on stage aren't
favored by the Afghan people.
Dancing may be liked overseas...
...but Afghans don't approve.
And look at Lema.
She respects her culture on stage.
She has got this far.
...and is very dear to the public.
My heart is going thump, thump, thump.
I'm saying that I might be out.
That is why I feel a little bit nervous.
Although the weather is cold...
...my body is shaking from fear.
Do you think Afghanistan is ready.
...to accept your open mind?
Some people approve of me...
...and some people refuse.
Those who accept me,
they accept me.
But the people who do not,
I will make them!
I don't feel anything.
I just want to sing.
But don't you feel
a little afraid of being out?
Of course I feel that way a little.
There are 2000 people waiting for me.
I have one pair of eyes.
They have 2000.
These eyes are judging my song.
- Lema?
- What?
Are you still having secret lessons
down in Kandahar?
In Kandahar, everything is secret.
Hameed Sakhizada,
please come forward.
You three have made it through.
Is Rafi Naabzada still a star?
You two are successful.
Is Lema still in the show?
Lema Sahar, you are...
...going through to the next round!
Setara, dear.
It's him! It's him!
You were both here
from the beginning...
...but only Khalid
has made it through.
Now Setara will sing her final song.
Oh, my God.
Why are you dancing?
You are my heart
and the light of my eyes.
You are my heart
and the light of my eyes.
Give me a time.
When are you going to be my guest?
You are my heart
and light of my eyes.
You are my heart
and light of my eyes.
She did a very bad thing.
Even if she wanted first place,
she should not do that.
Setara's dance was not necessary.
It is not allowed at all.
This is an Islamic society.
We live in an Islamic country.
In my opinion,
it was not a good thing.
I know she did this
because of her emotions...
...but it will not have a good end.
What, dance on stage?
Do you think Afghan people
should do such a thing?
I wouldn't do it,
even if they paid me thousands.
...or said, "Dance and you'll win. "
I wouldn't do it.
I wouldn't do it for them.
Don't take my picture.
Go away.
Don't film me.
I don't like what you are doing.
Her life is in danger.
In her last song,
she uncovered her hair.
...and she danced a lot.
She will pay a big price.
Good-bye.
It's like they've never seen
a person before.
The feelings I had on stage.
...made me act in this way.
I always act according to my emotions.
I wanted to lift the heaviness
from my heart.
Music is the language of emotion.
I can show my inner feelings
through my voice and my actions.
I thought that because I am leaving.
I wanted to do this
so they would remember me.
So after a period of time,
Setara will appear on stage again.
...and she will perform concerts
all around the world.
When they say "Setara,"
put her picture right there.
It's not important for me.
They are just characters to me.
...that I can create
a better culture with.
Move people from the gun to music.
We want...
...that dark thinking made brighter.
Our people should accept it,
for God's sake!
They watch Shabnum Soraya on cable TV...
...they watch Maniya,
they watch Shakira...
Jennifer Lopez...
...their dancing,
their strange clothes.
It's around the world.
Of course every country
has their own culture.
I'm not saying she should
become likeJennifer Lopez.
...or remove her clothes.
But when an Afghan girl comes on:
"Oh! She's on TV! An Afghan girl!"
They're amazed.
We should at least get this far.
The Afghanistan that people
around the world see now...
...is not the true face of the country.
Over here, there used to be
a very beautiful culture.
We had everything.
We had art, we had tradition,
music, movies.
They are great pictures.
How beautiful.
The culture in Kabul
was very beautiful.
The situation was
good and beautiful.
The people of Kabul were open-minded.
They were liberal at that time.
People could live
how they wanted.
Everyone had a secure life at that time.
At university...
...girls and boys were together.
I believe that
if the Mujahideen were united...
...if the Mujahideen struggled...
...if the Mujahideen used their knowledge.
...and if the Mujahideen used their voice...
...if they spoke with their clear voice
and told the truth.
...this insult and degradation
would not have happened.
Ayoung girl of Herat.
would not go as a dancer
in the name of Afghan Star.
She would never have gone!
In this region...
...every stone has felt
the blood of martyrs.
But today...
...a few people
want to make us suffer.
They have to know
...that they are foolish to think.
...that they can harm our people.
The people said.
...she can go on Afghan Star and sing...
...but she shouldn't dance on the stage.
Everyone can sing.
But no one should go that far.
Some people think.
...that Setara is a loose woman
because of those actions.
A lady shouldn't be liberal like Setara.
...especially if she is from Herat...
...a cultured city.
I think they will do something bad.
She moved on stage.
I cannot watch it.
She should sing by Islamic rules.
She's so loose.
She doesn't do good things.
She's a flirtatious girl.
She brought shame
to the Herati people.
She deserves to be killed.
Do you think going back to Herat
is dangerous for you?
100% dangerous.
About an hour and a half ago,
my sister called from Herat.
She said, " Setara, in Herat.
...people are saying
you've been killed. "
Lfind I enjoy it when I can sing.
But I always feel afraid.
I feel really lonely now.
If I was with my father and mother,
I would be happy.
I should be there with them.
But for now, I'm alone.
This is the dress I wore on stage.
when I performed my song
with a beautiful dance.
...and a very beautiful voice.
This is the dress of freedom.
We had a lot of hardships.
During the time of the Taliban,
we went to secret schools...
...every second was dangerous.
We thought that
if the Taliban caught us...
we would not be left alive.
So it's not new for me to be afraid.
I haven't done anything.
I only sang a song and moved a little.
Even that brought these problems.
If I were to sing about my experiences
or give political interviews...
I'd be gone within a week.
This is my path.
I will continue until the end.
The foreigners are telling us.
we must broadcast
under freedom of speech.
We have to continuously fight
against the enemies of Islam.
My message for those
that like Afghan Star is.
...each government
is based on rules of law
...and this government
has Islamic rules.
This country has been invaded
and we sacrificed much.
The rules must be according
to morality and sharia law.
If this immorality continues.
with men and women openly together...
...this will cause
the Islamic people to rise up.
...and wars would start again!
If it continues like that,
society will collapse.
The lives of our martyrs
would be wasted.
We just want Islamic broadcasts.
We don't care if it's Tolo or whatever.
The Islamic Council is laying this rule.
It is our duty to preach sharia law.
If they accept it, it's okay for us.
But if they do not act upon it,
at least we've done our duty.
They are a group of scholars
from the Islamic Council.
who have a strong opinion against us.
They say that a few
of the programs we have aired...
...and Afghan Star
was especially named...
...that these programs
are misleading the people.
...and are against sharia law.
"You are inviting people
to take part in it.
It corrupts their minds.
It is not Islamic!"
I don't think we are
doing anything wrong.
In Afghanistan
there is music in the past...
...music in the present
and music in the future.
Thank you so much for supporting me.
Her courage and confidence
is the most important thing.
I don't care about her voice
or her choice of songs.
Her courage and confidence
is most important.
Lema knows that the Pashtun people
will support her.
It's in their blood
and their nature.
Whenever they step
into a ring of fight, they win!
It's the same for her.
She's a Pashtun too.
Pashtun people don't care
if she's good or bad.
"She's Pashtun.
Let's support her!"
The whole universe is talking about me.
What position will I get?
When will I be out?
What song will I be singing?
The people tell me that
they don't want to watch the night.
...that Lema will be out.
You should know that our own
Taliban are now voting for me.
Believe it! There are Taliban
SMS-ing votes for me.
The Taliban related
to the Pashtun people.
I'm Pashtun,
so they are supporting me.
Hameed.
In the name of merciful God...
...and you people, the supporters,
the makers of our stars, hello.
Welcome the three remaining
Afghan Stars to the stage!
This is a proud place to be.
...that I've gotten this far.
I thank all Afghan people.
I'm very proud to have gotten here.
Sakhizada please stand forward.
Hameed Sakhizada...
...has made it this far...
...and will continue to perform.
So the person who goes out
in third place...
...on Afghan Star...
...is...
Lema Sahar.
For the poor Afghan people...
Afghan Star is better than politics.
All of the bad strategies in politics...
...bring misery for our people.
So for this reason, most people
like pop programs and music.
They like it.
I went to the top of the mountain
and I shouted.
Look at my beautiful woman walking.
The secret of my heart is coming.
When I saw her I remembered
to pray to the lion of men.
Look at my beautiful woman walking.
The secret of my heart is coming.
Lema. Go on, cry.
No, I won't.
If someone held a knife
to my throat, I wouldn't cry!
The spring has come
and I will sacrifice myself for you.
Look at my beautiful woman walking.
The secret of my heart is coming.
Her eyebrows are like a bow
Shooting a look that kills me.
Look at my beautiful woman walking.
The secret of my heart is coming.
I'm sure our promises oflove
you will keep.
Look at my beautiful woman walking.
The secret of my heart is coming.
Look at my beautiful woman walking.
The secret of my heart is coming.
Listen to the sounds
of my aching heart.
When she's far
it explodes with pain.
Listen to the sound
of my aching heart.
When she's far
it explodes with pain.
Look at my beautiful woman walking.
The secret of my heart is coming.
The Taliban spokesman has said.
...that foreign forces
are using mobile telephones.
...to track and attack
the Taliban forces.
The Taliban has given three days
to the telephone companies.
...to stop the network
in the Taliban strongholds at night.
Otherwise, they will attack
the telephone centers and masts.
There are six million people
in Afghanistan using mobile phones.
You know this will have
a negative effect on Afghan Star.
The Afghan Star voting system
works on SMS.
The telephone
is the heart of the program...
...and if it's taken...
...the program will die.
Right now we live in a city
with a government.
We are working
within government rules.
We want to revive our culture
under these rules.
As long as the government
is alive, I am alive.
Are the Taliban going to become
powerful and change it all?
They have no affect on our morale.
I'm not scared of the Taliban.
Don't talk about them.
They're not important.
Every regime that comes,
our lives change.
A new regime would come...
...and our lives would change again.
I've seen it in war, in peace.
I've seen its beauty
and its cruelty.
The first movie theater I went to
is right there in front of your eyes.
There was a hallway down there.
There was a fight between
two Mujahideen groups.
when this place was destroyed.
This street was a kind of front line
separating the two sides.
I was about 13 then.
This big red rocket came and
hit the cinema. It all burned down.
I could not believe that this city
and its beauty would be ruined.
Hi, Amir. How are you?
Setara has experienced
some kind of difficulty.
The house owner has told her
she can't stay there anymore.
They are saying she is going through
some kind of difficulty.
She called us and said
that she's got problems.
Please call her.
This is your captain.
Soon we will be landing in Herat.
We don't want to interfere.
She said, "I want to be a singer. "
So I told her she could do it
if she wanted to.
We had graffiti painted on our door.
...saying,
"Setara has gone to Afghan Star.
She has become bad.
She is a whore!"
Perhaps I should cover my face.
If Setara comes back to Herat...
...as you know,
it's not safe here in Herat.
Maybe she'll get stopped
on the way from the airport.
Or maybe she'll get shot
by someone with a gun.
Or stabbed by someone with a knife.
It's not safe in Herat now.
Leaving the house
will not be safe for her.
We are not happy with her coming here.
I think Setara should stay in Kabul.
Hello.
Are you fine?
We heard you've been killed.
No. It's not true.
No. I'm not dead.
Bye.
Take the next left.
Setara's come.
My sister, don't cry.
Take her inside the house.
Oh, mother.
I haven't seen you for months.
I'm so happy you've been successful
in this program.
My teacher said
he'd compose my songs.
...and write my music.
Everyone is helping me.
We have no sorrows...
...but we do miss you
when you are away.
How can our own people
disturb our family like this?
As long as you're a good girl...
we'll be proud of you.
One Mullah was talking about music.
One scholar even said.
...that music
can take us to heaven.
TV REPAl R SHOP
We thank Afghan Star
as our work is in more demand.
The majority of the people
want to see this program.
...and that's why their televisions
are breaking down.
They bring them here
and we repair them.
The more they watch...
...the more problems
there are for us to fix.
Please give me that battery.
I'll give another one to you. I need it.
People come here
to get their batteries charged.
They need them
to watch TV programs at night.
To turn on their lights...
...to light the house, listen to music.
...and charge their cars.
We don't have a TV...
...but sometimes
we have a TV in the shop.
So for one or two hours
we can watch it.
We only saw one minute of the singing.
The TV had to go back.
Dear people of Kabul...
...this is the final episode of Afghan Star!
Your vote can decide their fate.
Vote quickly!
Time is running out!
We thank you for your
help and support so far.
Your vote will take him
to the mountain of success.
Come put your hands together
to support the young artist.
Make Hameed Sakhizada
the Afghan Star!
HAMEED SAKHIZADA
What a big nose you have!
He says he is from
the whole of Afghanistan.
...and we love him because of this.
Ask me a question.
Shut up, you lot!
We love both of them.
One brother, one heart, one mind.
I vote for Hameed Sakhizada!
If I vote for both of them,
it's a waste.
If I vote for one,
the other is upset.
Please give one to me!
As you can see,
these small children are fans of Rafi.
We support Rafi.
Rafi Naabzada.
Even the sheep have got
stomach ache because of Rafi.
Rafi's got them in trouble.
Don't do that.
Take the sheep home.
You have to do my makeup
better than Hameed's.
That was my plan,
to make you better than him.
I have no idea who will win.
The decision belongs to the people.
If you win,
would you become a politician?
I do have an interest in politics...
...but I'm afraid politics
can get you killed.
I would like my music.
...to be my politics.
This is what I'm good at.
Rafi, if you want to sing
traditional Hazara songs...
...you have to study
the classical style for 10 years.
It's not easy.
That's just lion's pussy!
People just want a good voice.
Oh, really?
What voice are you talking about?
You don't have a voice,
but you have beauty.
The Taliban would shoot you
for wearing that.
Everyone is waiting
to see who will win.
Young, poor, farmer,
politician, minister...
Everybody is waiting for that.
I'm trying not to wear the veil.
But when we sing the national anthem,
we must wear it.
But most of the time,
I will try not to.
You all look amazing,
but where are your head scarves?
No veil!
No burka!
Welcome to the stage...
Daoud Sediqi.
Who do you think
will be the Afghan Star?
No, we're not going to announce it yet.
First, Hameed Sakhizada
will sing for you.
If you are from Bamyan or Kandahar.
We are one brother.
We are all one brother.
If you are from Kabul, Balkh or Takhar.
We are one brother.
We are all one brother.
If you are from Wardak, Nimroz, Oruzgan.
Qalalot and Kunerhar.
We are all one brother.
We are all one brother.
We are all one brother.
Thank you, Hameed Sakhizada.
A round of applause
for Hameed Sakhizada.
Okay.
Now Rafi will sing for this final show.
May the length of my existence.
Be as short as her faithfulness.
My glass of wine is now empty.
It will break
by the weight of this life.
My glass of wine is now empty.
It will break
by the weight of this life.
It will break
by the weight of this life.
It will break
by the weight of this life.
Now we will announce the Afghan Star.
Thank you very much, everyone.
You're welcome.
Should we announce the result?
Who is the Afghan Star?
Rafi!
Hameed!
So let's find out who has won.
These two artists
both have beautiful voices...
...but the person
who the people have voted for...
...the person who's won the title is...
Rafi, dear.
Afghan Star.
Long live Afghanistan!
Sing!
My heart.
Is searching for love.
My heart.
Is feeling the mountains oflove.
My heart understands the world.
My heart understands
the strong and the weak.
You have more love for people.
My heart, don't cry.
My heart, don't cry.
Because of good and bad people.
My heart is full oflove and loving.
When I listen to music...
I feel...
I feel really happy.
Someone can listen to music.
...and his good mood will return.
His sadness will disappear.
If there was no music,
humans would be sad.
There would be nothing.
So what do you say about this?
If there was no singing...
...then the world would be silent.
They are the same words.
We're late to watch Afghan Star.
We're going to watch Afghan Star.
We're late.
We're running late.
We must go watch Afghan Star.
A big cheer for your new music stars!
Welcome to this round of Afghan Star.
With this program we can
give the feeling of peace.
Our aim is to take people's hands
from weapons to music.
These are the forms of the contestants
from all over Afghanistan.
There are more than 2000 people
in the competition.
...and even three women are taking part.
So that's a great success
for the program.
The first one ready for the test.
...is our dear sister.
From today the public can vote
for their favorite contestant.
Poor people, rich people,
women and men, everyone.
It's a new idea and
the Afghan people like it.
Who are you voting for?
Don't let them in
without their tickets.
I'm telling you to get out.
When you plug this one in.
...it doesn't work anymore.
It's like a fuse.
Five, four...
...three, two, one.
Welcome, everyone watching Tolo TV...
...especially to you fans of Afghan Star.
Tell me, who do you support?
Right now for you.
Rafi Naabzada
will sing his song.
No one among these revellers.
Knows what is going on in me.
No one among these revellers.
Knows what is going on in me.
I'm sad in my heart.
But there's a smile on my lips.
I want to be famous and happy.
...so I can sing for my people.
Our people are war-torn.
They are tired of fighting,
weapons and guns.
People want reconstruction...
...so they can reach
a new Afghanistan.
Now Lema Sahar will sing for you.
Come my love slowly on the roof.
I have a tattoo on my chin.
It is late afternoon.
Singing is not a bad thing...
...but it's not in religion.
If you look at religion,
music is not there.
It is banned by religion.
But why should we hide it?
If I do not sing,
what else can I do?
Singing is in my tradition.
I just close my eyes
and pass through it.
My love is a Hindu.
But I am a Muslim.
Because of my love
I sweep the temple.
Black magic man
bring your holy water.
And make a spell for me.
I really love pop music...
...but when I was a child...
I loved classical music
and wanted to study it.
Maybe I will make my name
in classical music.
But an artist has
to follow the people.
If the people want pop,
I have to give them pop.
The bend.
The bend of your eyebrows
is like the sting of the scorpion.
What can I do?
They belong to someone else.
The bend of your eyebrows
is like the sting of the scorpion.
What can I do?
They belong to someone else.
Because I am an artist I believe.
...there is no difference
between a woman and a man.
I am open-minded.
Now there is victory in Afghanistan.
I have no fear.
I just want to be a famous singer.
Cheer for the top 10 Afghan Stars!
Rafi Naabzada step forward.
Lema Sahar.
Hameed Sakhizada.
You are all successful in this round.
Setara.
Today...
...in this show...
...you have made it through.
The person
who received the lowest votes...
Karim Mansouri.
In my opinion,
you should have been first.
I love this song.
Not only this song,
many Ahmed Zahir songs.
But especially this one.
I never get tired of it.
This is Kabul.
Beautiful Kabul. Historical Kabul.
The city that I was born in.
It really does have problems
compared to other cities...
...but there is more democracy here
than the rest of Afghanistan.
There's freedom here,
there's education here...
...more opportunities for work.
I'm used to this place.
I love it very much.
We are now going to a place.
...that in the Taliban times.
...is where I used to have
a secret workshop.
This room did not have a front door.
You entered from that side.
Over here there was a wall.
I used to sit here and fix
all the illegal TVs and videos.
This was my secret room.
My customers were shopkeepers.
At night they would smuggle the TVs in.
...and then they would collect them
and sell them secretly.
They would bring in the broken ones
and take the repaired ones.
If I'd been caught,
my life would've been in danger.
I think that in my life
I've always rebelled.
Afghan Star is also a program like that.
There is risk in Afghanistan.
There are people
telling me straight out:
"What you're doing is not right.
What is this?
You are encouraging
music in Afghanistan. "
But I love doing this
and don't care what they say.
Daoud, when I saw this, I realized...
...that although
we are inexperienced now...
...the show could be presented
like it is in the West.
Afghanistan has different ethnics:
Pashtun, Hazara, people from the north.
These 30 years of war.
All this internal fighting.
Even Kabul was distributed
into five parts.
So it's rare that a Pashtun
supports an Hazara.
Whereas in this show,
a Pashtun does support an Hazara.
By saying, "He's the best. "
This might affect Afghanistan's
national unity for the long term.
There are many ways that you can
persuade people to get together.
Don't listen to others!
Do what an Afghan wants to do.
When the music begins,
the stars will come on stage.
We made this meeting
to get the ideas of everyone.
The cameramen, editors, the director,
the boss and everyone.
When the Taliban regime
came to Afghanistan...
...the TVs were blacked for five years.
TV in the last five years
is like a baby.
...and we have to grow this baby up.
This is my first time in Kabul...
...so I'm visiting the zoo.
I'm very happy to be here.
This is the only pig in Afghanistan!
He's not dangerous.
He's very interesting,
with a big body.
...and tiny little eyes.
During the Taliban time
we were forced to stay at home...
...but now we can
go on stage and sing.
When I'm on the stage...
when I'm performing on stage.
...and singing for the people...
...the feeling of freedom
comes to my soul.
I'm so happy!
And this happiness even
makes me feel like dancing.
When I was a child,
I was interested in modern fashion.
Now I'm on stage...
...it is also great that
I get to show my style.
As a woman living alone in Afghanistan,
it is very difficult.
I mean 100% difficult.
The fact that I am a singer.
...means I face a lot of problems.
So there are lots of things
I must ignore.
...until I reach my goal.
I'm an open-minded person.
So I'm looking for a guy
who is also open-minded.
So we can be honest with each other.
Then he can understand me.
...in happiness and in sadness.
He should be medium height...
...have strong eyebrows.
...that meet in the middle.
And I will love him.
Have you ever kissed
the lips of a boy?
I'm not married...
...so I don't have a man to kiss.
In Afghanistan, the guys
sometimes use the ladies.
A lady will tell a guy, "I love you,"
...and the guy will say it back.
But the man's just thinking
about her body.
The ladies have to be careful.
It's a dangerous problem.
I'm not sure why it's like this.
VOTE FOR RAFI
AS YOURAFGHAN STAR
Slow down for the camera.
Hi. How are you?
It's really good to see you.
TEXT YOUR SMS VOTE
TO THIS NUMBER
I've been living in Mazar-e-Sharif.
It's about 20 years that I've been
living in this neighborhood.
I love these guys like brothers.
Who voted for Rafi?
Everyone.
Raise your hand
if you did not vote for Rafi.
Nobody!
Why are you voting for Rafi?
We support him and we want
everyone to choose him.
We want our young
generation to develop.
Several bad governments came.
Especially the Taliban.
They didn't want music...
...and the young generation
to be modern...
...the culture
and the way of life we had.
The Taliban took us backwards.
Even to the extent that we couldn't
shave our beards or comb our hair.
Therefore, we were left far behind.
When we see the young generation
from other countries...
we don't see why we should be
any less than them.
Now we want a higher level
of art and music.
Our souls were dead.
Now we should wake them up!
Who am I?
Am I a rebel or a crazy man?
I'm the scar oflove.
A story ofloneliness.
I'm not accepted by the Sufi mystics.
Or accepted by the wine bearers.
I'm not accepted by the Sufi mystics.
I'm not accepted by the wine bearers.
Look, it's the Afghan Star!
I have to hurry this interview.
There are security problems
when you become famous.
You must be careful.
There is fierce rivalry in this competition
and something bad could happen.
These days, for every friend
you have 100 enemies.
Please be quick.
He is our favorite star.
As we like his voice,
we are campaigning for him.
All Afghan people like music
so everyone is interested in this program.
We love music.
This country was like a house
that no one was living in.
It felt as though
the city was abandoned.
It was such a terrible time.
Luckily, that time has passed...
...and God willing,
today times are brighter.
I just want to say that
when I next redecorate my bathroom...
I will buy the tiles from this shop.
Dear friends, if you want to know
the power of these materials...
...please use these ceramic tiles.
They are cheap...
...they are quality.
...and they're dependable.
Look, it's Rafi Naabzada!
Good luck in the competition.
Anyone who comes to you
will be granted his wishes.
He will not be disappointed.
This is dear Rafi Naabzada.
...from Tolo TV's Afghan Star.
Until now, he's been successful.
He's my fellow citizen from Balkh...
...so wish him success.
We pray to God that you will
make him number one.
If there was no God,
there would be no leaves on the trees.
If God isn't with you,
you can't do anything in life.
It's with God's kindness.
...that I've reached where I am.
It's very difficult for a Pashtun woman
to become a singer.
- How many colors have you got?
- This one and black.
Let me see it.
This a flirty color.
Do you have one where the neck
is covered? Or one with sleeves?
That's the fashion from India.
In Kandahar, we wear black burkas
that cover the face.
In Kabul, Lema looked like
a suicide bomber.
The Kabul ladies told me...
"This is Kabul, do not cover yourself. "
In Kandahar, I cover myself like this.
It even covers your toes.
It looks like this.
We just have this tiny hole to see through.
My friends tell me,
"You're Pashtun. You're crazy to do this.
You're leaving us for democracy. "
Because of poverty,
I've learned to struggle.
Some people need to struggle
for a good life.
Because of poverty,
I have gotten this far.
I've never practiced music before...
...but now I'm studying
with a popular teacher.
He's asking for a lot of money.
He's scared and has to travel
secretly to my house.
I'm worried about my own safety too.
And because I'm doing this,
my family is also in danger.
We hide the song books
and other things at night.
If the Taliban come in the night...
we have a special place to hide
the computer and everything.
They come at night
to search the houses.
If they find something,
they kill you.
When I become really sad,
I ask Lema to sing for me.
Sorrow comes to me when I remember
my 15-year-old son is dead.
I say, "Come on, play music, my girl!"
And then my sorrow disappears.
Who is your Afghan Star?
Your walk is proud.
When you walk
You take my heart.
You take my heart.
The boy from Logar
walks like a peacock.
May God be merciful
so that people vote for me.
There are no votes coming in for me.
What type of people
won't send SMS?
A rich guy from Kandahar
bought 10,000 SI M cards for Lema.
So he can do a campaign to SMS for her.
There is another guy who is going
to campaign for Hameed Sakhizada.
who is going to buy more than 10,000.
He's ready to sell his car
for $6,000 right now
...if someone is ready to buy it
and to buy SI M cards.
And vote for Hameed.
No, it's not gossip.
There is a guy investigating it
and that's why he is selling his car.
He is damn serious.
That's how it happens.
It is fair.
It means people love him.
That is why he is ready to sell his car...
...and spending that huge money
to bring Hameed Sakhizada top.
It means it's love.
He has no relation with him.
He's not his cousin,
or brother, or friend even.
But he's ready to sell his car for him.
It's a little bit mad
and sounds crazy...
...but it is true.
That's campaign.
We don't want to say
that the other stars don't have talent...
...but we love the talent
of Hameed Sakhizada.
We have a few cars
that we've lent to his campaign.
They will drive to all the cities
and hand out his posters.
Sakhizada is from
the Hazara ethnic group.
In our cruel history, the Hazara people.
were not allowed to shine.
But now he has a lot of friends.
...from lots of provinces.
It is the wish of Afghanistan...
...but especially the Hazara...
...that all the tribes in Afghanistan
can be united.
That we should live
together like brothers.
Like everyone does in Afghan Star.
I look terrible.
- Look at what we've prepared.
- They are really great!
When we went to the village to campaign
and saw your posters everywhere...
...it looked like the president
was coming to town.
"Music is our unity. "
Is this more exciting
than parliamentary voting?
Yes. Afghan Star is more exciting.
It captures the love of the people.
There is no pressure on them
to go and vote.
So the people trust
their favorite candidate.
I drove 15 hours in the car
just to come and help.
These are Hameed Sakhizada's posters.
These are some that we've prepared so far.
I love his songs.
I'm in love with his voice.
I want 100% for him to be
the Afghan Star.
I'm Hazara.
I'm from Maidan Wardak.
There are different ethnic groups
in Afghanistan.
Different people, different tribes.
Different nations.
Like Tajik, Pashtun, Pashahi.
And they are all voting for me!
In the past, nobody accepted each other.
They were fighting each other.
The situation is similar today...
...but at least now
we are living under one flag.
...and we should all be called Afghans.
I have the character to be a politician.
To bring peace and harmony
to benefit all the people of Afghanistan.
Hello.
I want to vote for Setara.
She's a good singer
and she's singing really well.
She sings a good song.
Good-bye.
This is Rafi.
This is Lema Sahar.
...and this is Setara.
But Lema doesn't wear
these sexy clothes.
And now Setara.
Compared to the others, Rafi is better.
Really.
When you go on stage,
stand with confidence.
Don't fidget and dance
from foot to foot.
Stand still.
Be confident!
Yes. Hello.
Who do you think
will be voted out today?
I think Setara.
She has a nice voice...
...but her actions on stage aren't
favored by the Afghan people.
Dancing may be liked overseas...
...but Afghans don't approve.
And look at Lema.
She respects her culture on stage.
She has got this far.
...and is very dear to the public.
My heart is going thump, thump, thump.
I'm saying that I might be out.
That is why I feel a little bit nervous.
Although the weather is cold...
...my body is shaking from fear.
Do you think Afghanistan is ready.
...to accept your open mind?
Some people approve of me...
...and some people refuse.
Those who accept me,
they accept me.
But the people who do not,
I will make them!
I don't feel anything.
I just want to sing.
But don't you feel
a little afraid of being out?
Of course I feel that way a little.
There are 2000 people waiting for me.
I have one pair of eyes.
They have 2000.
These eyes are judging my song.
- Lema?
- What?
Are you still having secret lessons
down in Kandahar?
In Kandahar, everything is secret.
Hameed Sakhizada,
please come forward.
You three have made it through.
Is Rafi Naabzada still a star?
You two are successful.
Is Lema still in the show?
Lema Sahar, you are...
...going through to the next round!
Setara, dear.
It's him! It's him!
You were both here
from the beginning...
...but only Khalid
has made it through.
Now Setara will sing her final song.
Oh, my God.
Why are you dancing?
You are my heart
and the light of my eyes.
You are my heart
and the light of my eyes.
Give me a time.
When are you going to be my guest?
You are my heart
and light of my eyes.
You are my heart
and light of my eyes.
She did a very bad thing.
Even if she wanted first place,
she should not do that.
Setara's dance was not necessary.
It is not allowed at all.
This is an Islamic society.
We live in an Islamic country.
In my opinion,
it was not a good thing.
I know she did this
because of her emotions...
...but it will not have a good end.
What, dance on stage?
Do you think Afghan people
should do such a thing?
I wouldn't do it,
even if they paid me thousands.
...or said, "Dance and you'll win. "
I wouldn't do it.
I wouldn't do it for them.
Don't take my picture.
Go away.
Don't film me.
I don't like what you are doing.
Her life is in danger.
In her last song,
she uncovered her hair.
...and she danced a lot.
She will pay a big price.
Good-bye.
It's like they've never seen
a person before.
The feelings I had on stage.
...made me act in this way.
I always act according to my emotions.
I wanted to lift the heaviness
from my heart.
Music is the language of emotion.
I can show my inner feelings
through my voice and my actions.
I thought that because I am leaving.
I wanted to do this
so they would remember me.
So after a period of time,
Setara will appear on stage again.
...and she will perform concerts
all around the world.
When they say "Setara,"
put her picture right there.
It's not important for me.
They are just characters to me.
...that I can create
a better culture with.
Move people from the gun to music.
We want...
...that dark thinking made brighter.
Our people should accept it,
for God's sake!
They watch Shabnum Soraya on cable TV...
...they watch Maniya,
they watch Shakira...
Jennifer Lopez...
...their dancing,
their strange clothes.
It's around the world.
Of course every country
has their own culture.
I'm not saying she should
become likeJennifer Lopez.
...or remove her clothes.
But when an Afghan girl comes on:
"Oh! She's on TV! An Afghan girl!"
They're amazed.
We should at least get this far.
The Afghanistan that people
around the world see now...
...is not the true face of the country.
Over here, there used to be
a very beautiful culture.
We had everything.
We had art, we had tradition,
music, movies.
They are great pictures.
How beautiful.
The culture in Kabul
was very beautiful.
The situation was
good and beautiful.
The people of Kabul were open-minded.
They were liberal at that time.
People could live
how they wanted.
Everyone had a secure life at that time.
At university...
...girls and boys were together.
I believe that
if the Mujahideen were united...
...if the Mujahideen struggled...
...if the Mujahideen used their knowledge.
...and if the Mujahideen used their voice...
...if they spoke with their clear voice
and told the truth.
...this insult and degradation
would not have happened.
Ayoung girl of Herat.
would not go as a dancer
in the name of Afghan Star.
She would never have gone!
In this region...
...every stone has felt
the blood of martyrs.
But today...
...a few people
want to make us suffer.
They have to know
...that they are foolish to think.
...that they can harm our people.
The people said.
...she can go on Afghan Star and sing...
...but she shouldn't dance on the stage.
Everyone can sing.
But no one should go that far.
Some people think.
...that Setara is a loose woman
because of those actions.
A lady shouldn't be liberal like Setara.
...especially if she is from Herat...
...a cultured city.
I think they will do something bad.
She moved on stage.
I cannot watch it.
She should sing by Islamic rules.
She's so loose.
She doesn't do good things.
She's a flirtatious girl.
She brought shame
to the Herati people.
She deserves to be killed.
Do you think going back to Herat
is dangerous for you?
100% dangerous.
About an hour and a half ago,
my sister called from Herat.
She said, " Setara, in Herat.
...people are saying
you've been killed. "
Lfind I enjoy it when I can sing.
But I always feel afraid.
I feel really lonely now.
If I was with my father and mother,
I would be happy.
I should be there with them.
But for now, I'm alone.
This is the dress I wore on stage.
when I performed my song
with a beautiful dance.
...and a very beautiful voice.
This is the dress of freedom.
We had a lot of hardships.
During the time of the Taliban,
we went to secret schools...
...every second was dangerous.
We thought that
if the Taliban caught us...
we would not be left alive.
So it's not new for me to be afraid.
I haven't done anything.
I only sang a song and moved a little.
Even that brought these problems.
If I were to sing about my experiences
or give political interviews...
I'd be gone within a week.
This is my path.
I will continue until the end.
The foreigners are telling us.
we must broadcast
under freedom of speech.
We have to continuously fight
against the enemies of Islam.
My message for those
that like Afghan Star is.
...each government
is based on rules of law
...and this government
has Islamic rules.
This country has been invaded
and we sacrificed much.
The rules must be according
to morality and sharia law.
If this immorality continues.
with men and women openly together...
...this will cause
the Islamic people to rise up.
...and wars would start again!
If it continues like that,
society will collapse.
The lives of our martyrs
would be wasted.
We just want Islamic broadcasts.
We don't care if it's Tolo or whatever.
The Islamic Council is laying this rule.
It is our duty to preach sharia law.
If they accept it, it's okay for us.
But if they do not act upon it,
at least we've done our duty.
They are a group of scholars
from the Islamic Council.
who have a strong opinion against us.
They say that a few
of the programs we have aired...
...and Afghan Star
was especially named...
...that these programs
are misleading the people.
...and are against sharia law.
"You are inviting people
to take part in it.
It corrupts their minds.
It is not Islamic!"
I don't think we are
doing anything wrong.
In Afghanistan
there is music in the past...
...music in the present
and music in the future.
Thank you so much for supporting me.
Her courage and confidence
is the most important thing.
I don't care about her voice
or her choice of songs.
Her courage and confidence
is most important.
Lema knows that the Pashtun people
will support her.
It's in their blood
and their nature.
Whenever they step
into a ring of fight, they win!
It's the same for her.
She's a Pashtun too.
Pashtun people don't care
if she's good or bad.
"She's Pashtun.
Let's support her!"
The whole universe is talking about me.
What position will I get?
When will I be out?
What song will I be singing?
The people tell me that
they don't want to watch the night.
...that Lema will be out.
You should know that our own
Taliban are now voting for me.
Believe it! There are Taliban
SMS-ing votes for me.
The Taliban related
to the Pashtun people.
I'm Pashtun,
so they are supporting me.
Hameed.
In the name of merciful God...
...and you people, the supporters,
the makers of our stars, hello.
Welcome the three remaining
Afghan Stars to the stage!
This is a proud place to be.
...that I've gotten this far.
I thank all Afghan people.
I'm very proud to have gotten here.
Sakhizada please stand forward.
Hameed Sakhizada...
...has made it this far...
...and will continue to perform.
So the person who goes out
in third place...
...on Afghan Star...
...is...
Lema Sahar.
For the poor Afghan people...
Afghan Star is better than politics.
All of the bad strategies in politics...
...bring misery for our people.
So for this reason, most people
like pop programs and music.
They like it.
I went to the top of the mountain
and I shouted.
Look at my beautiful woman walking.
The secret of my heart is coming.
When I saw her I remembered
to pray to the lion of men.
Look at my beautiful woman walking.
The secret of my heart is coming.
Lema. Go on, cry.
No, I won't.
If someone held a knife
to my throat, I wouldn't cry!
The spring has come
and I will sacrifice myself for you.
Look at my beautiful woman walking.
The secret of my heart is coming.
Her eyebrows are like a bow
Shooting a look that kills me.
Look at my beautiful woman walking.
The secret of my heart is coming.
I'm sure our promises oflove
you will keep.
Look at my beautiful woman walking.
The secret of my heart is coming.
Look at my beautiful woman walking.
The secret of my heart is coming.
Listen to the sounds
of my aching heart.
When she's far
it explodes with pain.
Listen to the sound
of my aching heart.
When she's far
it explodes with pain.
Look at my beautiful woman walking.
The secret of my heart is coming.
The Taliban spokesman has said.
...that foreign forces
are using mobile telephones.
...to track and attack
the Taliban forces.
The Taliban has given three days
to the telephone companies.
...to stop the network
in the Taliban strongholds at night.
Otherwise, they will attack
the telephone centers and masts.
There are six million people
in Afghanistan using mobile phones.
You know this will have
a negative effect on Afghan Star.
The Afghan Star voting system
works on SMS.
The telephone
is the heart of the program...
...and if it's taken...
...the program will die.
Right now we live in a city
with a government.
We are working
within government rules.
We want to revive our culture
under these rules.
As long as the government
is alive, I am alive.
Are the Taliban going to become
powerful and change it all?
They have no affect on our morale.
I'm not scared of the Taliban.
Don't talk about them.
They're not important.
Every regime that comes,
our lives change.
A new regime would come...
...and our lives would change again.
I've seen it in war, in peace.
I've seen its beauty
and its cruelty.
The first movie theater I went to
is right there in front of your eyes.
There was a hallway down there.
There was a fight between
two Mujahideen groups.
when this place was destroyed.
This street was a kind of front line
separating the two sides.
I was about 13 then.
This big red rocket came and
hit the cinema. It all burned down.
I could not believe that this city
and its beauty would be ruined.
Hi, Amir. How are you?
Setara has experienced
some kind of difficulty.
The house owner has told her
she can't stay there anymore.
They are saying she is going through
some kind of difficulty.
She called us and said
that she's got problems.
Please call her.
This is your captain.
Soon we will be landing in Herat.
We don't want to interfere.
She said, "I want to be a singer. "
So I told her she could do it
if she wanted to.
We had graffiti painted on our door.
...saying,
"Setara has gone to Afghan Star.
She has become bad.
She is a whore!"
Perhaps I should cover my face.
If Setara comes back to Herat...
...as you know,
it's not safe here in Herat.
Maybe she'll get stopped
on the way from the airport.
Or maybe she'll get shot
by someone with a gun.
Or stabbed by someone with a knife.
It's not safe in Herat now.
Leaving the house
will not be safe for her.
We are not happy with her coming here.
I think Setara should stay in Kabul.
Hello.
Are you fine?
We heard you've been killed.
No. It's not true.
No. I'm not dead.
Bye.
Take the next left.
Setara's come.
My sister, don't cry.
Take her inside the house.
Oh, mother.
I haven't seen you for months.
I'm so happy you've been successful
in this program.
My teacher said
he'd compose my songs.
...and write my music.
Everyone is helping me.
We have no sorrows...
...but we do miss you
when you are away.
How can our own people
disturb our family like this?
As long as you're a good girl...
we'll be proud of you.
One Mullah was talking about music.
One scholar even said.
...that music
can take us to heaven.
TV REPAl R SHOP
We thank Afghan Star
as our work is in more demand.
The majority of the people
want to see this program.
...and that's why their televisions
are breaking down.
They bring them here
and we repair them.
The more they watch...
...the more problems
there are for us to fix.
Please give me that battery.
I'll give another one to you. I need it.
People come here
to get their batteries charged.
They need them
to watch TV programs at night.
To turn on their lights...
...to light the house, listen to music.
...and charge their cars.
We don't have a TV...
...but sometimes
we have a TV in the shop.
So for one or two hours
we can watch it.
We only saw one minute of the singing.
The TV had to go back.
Dear people of Kabul...
...this is the final episode of Afghan Star!
Your vote can decide their fate.
Vote quickly!
Time is running out!
We thank you for your
help and support so far.
Your vote will take him
to the mountain of success.
Come put your hands together
to support the young artist.
Make Hameed Sakhizada
the Afghan Star!
HAMEED SAKHIZADA
What a big nose you have!
He says he is from
the whole of Afghanistan.
...and we love him because of this.
Ask me a question.
Shut up, you lot!
We love both of them.
One brother, one heart, one mind.
I vote for Hameed Sakhizada!
If I vote for both of them,
it's a waste.
If I vote for one,
the other is upset.
Please give one to me!
As you can see,
these small children are fans of Rafi.
We support Rafi.
Rafi Naabzada.
Even the sheep have got
stomach ache because of Rafi.
Rafi's got them in trouble.
Don't do that.
Take the sheep home.
You have to do my makeup
better than Hameed's.
That was my plan,
to make you better than him.
I have no idea who will win.
The decision belongs to the people.
If you win,
would you become a politician?
I do have an interest in politics...
...but I'm afraid politics
can get you killed.
I would like my music.
...to be my politics.
This is what I'm good at.
Rafi, if you want to sing
traditional Hazara songs...
...you have to study
the classical style for 10 years.
It's not easy.
That's just lion's pussy!
People just want a good voice.
Oh, really?
What voice are you talking about?
You don't have a voice,
but you have beauty.
The Taliban would shoot you
for wearing that.
Everyone is waiting
to see who will win.
Young, poor, farmer,
politician, minister...
Everybody is waiting for that.
I'm trying not to wear the veil.
But when we sing the national anthem,
we must wear it.
But most of the time,
I will try not to.
You all look amazing,
but where are your head scarves?
No veil!
No burka!
Welcome to the stage...
Daoud Sediqi.
Who do you think
will be the Afghan Star?
No, we're not going to announce it yet.
First, Hameed Sakhizada
will sing for you.
If you are from Bamyan or Kandahar.
We are one brother.
We are all one brother.
If you are from Kabul, Balkh or Takhar.
We are one brother.
We are all one brother.
If you are from Wardak, Nimroz, Oruzgan.
Qalalot and Kunerhar.
We are all one brother.
We are all one brother.
We are all one brother.
Thank you, Hameed Sakhizada.
A round of applause
for Hameed Sakhizada.
Okay.
Now Rafi will sing for this final show.
May the length of my existence.
Be as short as her faithfulness.
My glass of wine is now empty.
It will break
by the weight of this life.
My glass of wine is now empty.
It will break
by the weight of this life.
It will break
by the weight of this life.
It will break
by the weight of this life.
Now we will announce the Afghan Star.
Thank you very much, everyone.
You're welcome.
Should we announce the result?
Who is the Afghan Star?
Rafi!
Hameed!
So let's find out who has won.
These two artists
both have beautiful voices...
...but the person
who the people have voted for...
...the person who's won the title is...
Rafi, dear.
Afghan Star.
Long live Afghanistan!