AFS Doc Tour: Afghan Star

As the thermometer-busting heat and 9 p.m. sunsets have no doubt made you aware, summer is here. Hell, July 4th is just around the corner. What better way to celebrate the strength, courage, and indomitability of the American spirit than by...watching a bunch of singing Afghans?

No, but yeah, seriously. Stick with us on this—in the war-torn country of Afghanistan, there’s a TV show much like our own inexplicably popular American Idol (which OK, it’s more Simon Cowell’s invention than ours, but we certainly helped make it so damn big, so let’s give the stars and stripes some credit), where anyone can compete regardless of race, age, religion, or any other factor. (That’s freedom, baby!--another American export.) And people all over the country use their cell phones to vote for their favorite performer (democracy!).

Naturally, contestants face a whole new set of obstacles that we can’t really conceive of over here in our cushy air-conditioned houses, but then that’s what documentaries are for, right? This remarkable film (winner of Directing and Audience Awards at this year’s Sundance Film Festival) follows four finalists as they compete to become the next Afghan Star.

Afghan Star is part of Austin Film Society’s Documentary Tour and will be screening at the Alamo downtown at 7 p.m. tonight. Reserve tickets now and show up early. This film is sure to inform, inspire, enlighten, and entertain you. And that’s a lot more than Simon Cowell could ever do for you.

Still not convinced? Watch a preview of the film after the break.