"Kaboul Song" directed by Lisbeth Koutchoumoff and Wolgrand Ribeiro provides a fascinating insight into life in Kabul in Afghanistan today and life as it was 30 years ago, through the true and personal story of Ustad Arman, an Afghan singer /musician who lives in Vaud.
Film review from the Visions du Réel film festival (on in Nyon until the 3rd May).
Photo above - courtesy Visions du Réel - The jury in "Afghan Star"
In the opening scene we see Ustad feeding the birds down by the lakeside in Versoix. He seems just like any another member of the public, but then we discover that he is actually very famous in Afghanistan for his music and singing. 30 years ago when he was a big star in the country, Afghanistan had a lively, vibrant music scene. Musicians (both men and women) regularly appeared on the radio playing both traditional and modern music. Today it's a different story - the studio that Ustad once recorded in, is now an empty room. A street in a quarter of Kabul that once housed many musicians is currently devoid of singers and artists.
However, there is some glimmer of hope in the shape of a TV programme called "Afghan Star".
"Afghan Star " - An Afghan mixture of "The Voice" and "X Factor"
This show, a mixture between "The Voice" and the "X Factor" is watched by 10 million Afghans and Ustad is invited to be part of the jury that selects the winning artists. So he flies from Switzerland to Kabul and on arrival is greeted by fans and old acquaintances. Tellingly, there is only one woman who has entered into the competition, the rest are all men. We see her sing and compete and hear about her struggle to make it this far (her father was opposed to her entering the competition). We see the back story to some of the other contestants, and get to see behind the scenes in their life.
Photo above - courtesy Visions du Réel. One of the contestants in "Afghan Star" arriving at the TV studio.
Ustad reflects on life as it was back then and shows the female contestant some archival footage of women singers that appeared on the TV many years ago in the country, he talks to the contestants and encourages them in their dream. The final of the "Afghan Star" competition is held on the 21st March, around the time of the Persian New Year, a time for celebration and also a time when millions of viewers will be watching their TV. The excitement builds, and the winner is chosen. Usad prepares to leave and return to Switzerland - with a heavy heart. He dreams of one day returning and spending his twilight years in the country, but he knows he can't.
Photo above - courtesy Visions du Reel - Ustad singing traditional music with an old Afghan friend. This film not only has an interesting narrative it provides a fascinating glimpse into life in Kabul as it is today, it also also a story of exile and of a longing for home. With many superb scenes in this film - Ustad in a Swiss sweater cross legged on a bed in a Kabul guest house, the sparse make up room for the contestants at the Afghan Star studio, Ustad trying to cross a very busy street in Kabul, a stark contrast to crossing a street in orderly and clean Switzerland, this is a "must see" film. There are two screenings - Saturday 26th April at 19:30 at the Théâtre du Léman and Sunday at the Capitole 2 cinema at 20:30 Subtitles in French and English. Tickets can be booked online.