Second trailer for Afghan Star to announce the documentary's premiere to HBO.
After thirty years of war and five devastating years of Taliban rule, pop culture is beginning to return to Afghanistan. Since 2005, millions have been tuning in to Tolo TV's wildly popular musical competition series, "Afghan Star." The contest is open to everyone across the country regardless of gender. Two thousand people audition, and when viewers vote for their favorites via cell phone, it is, for many, their first encounter with the democratic process. Winner of the Directing and Audience Awards in Sundance's 2009 World Documentary competition, Afghan Star follows the dramatic stories of four young finalists as they hazard everything to become the nation's favorite performer.