Podcasts about Afghan Star

Alan and Lionel are joined by Saad Mohseni, the tycoon who reshaped Afghanistan's media landscape.In 2001, Saad was forging a career in international banking. But after the invasion of Afghanistan, and the subsequent fall of the Taliban government, he decided to move to Kabul. There, he co-founded the Moby Group, the country's largest media company, where he is chairman and executive officer. He also started a radio station, soon spawning a TV station which broadcast the now-banned hit talent show, Afghan Star. Saad discusses his book Radio Free Afghanistan and what it is like to operate a media empire after the Taliban's return. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Taliban returns, Massood Sanjer - the head of TOLO TV - has to make a decision. Should he do what they want and take Afghan Star off the air, or keep fighting for the revolution he helped start.  ... To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aryana Sayeed is doubling down on her life in Kabul while all around her, the Taliban are closing in. ... To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Afghanistan's biggest popstar leads the fight against the Taliban. And then one January day, a bomb goes off on a bus in Kabul, and nothing about the show– or the country– will ever be the same again ... To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the show's producers take a dangerous trip to recruit talent from across the country, Afghan Star becomes a target for a resurgent Taliban.  ... To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A young radio producer in Afghanistan is given an impossible task: to create a brand new, revolutionary talent show in just two months. ... To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Music at the end of this episode from Afghan musician Qais Maroof, contestant on The Voice of Afghanistan. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A young radio producer in Afghanistan is given an impossible task: to create a brand new, revolutionary talent show in just two months. To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Music at the end of this episode from Afghan musician Qais Maroof, contestant on The Voice of Afghanistan. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram   Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A young radio producer in Afghanistan is given an impossible task: to create a brand new, revolutionary talent show in just two months. ... To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Music at the end of this episode from Afghan musician Qais Maroof, contestant on The Voice of Afghanistan. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A young radio producer in Afghanistan is given an impossible task: to create a brand new, revolutionary talent show in just two months. ... To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Music at the end of this episode from Afghan musician Qais Maroof, contestant on The Voice of Afghanistan. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A young radio producer in Afghanistan is given an impossible task: to create a brand new, revolutionary talent show in just two months. ... To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Music at the end of this episode from Afghan musician Qais Maroof, contestant on The Voice of Afghanistan. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A young radio producer in Afghanistan is given an impossible task: to create a brand new, revolutionary talent show in just two months. To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Music at the end of this episode from Afghan musician Qais Maroof, contestant on The Voice of Afghanistan. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A young radio producer in Afghanistan is given an impossible task: to create a brand new, revolutionary talent show in just two months. ... To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Music at the end of this episode from Afghan musician Qais Maroof, contestant on The Voice of Afghanistan. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Setara Hussainzada is one of the first women to make it to the final rounds of Afghan Star. It's a triumph. And then she does something that puts her life – and the lives of everyone who makes the show – at risk.  To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the sole breadwinner for his family, Shakib Hamdard struggles to provide for his mom and sisters. But everything changes when the young taxi driver finds himself at the very first audition for Afghan Star.   To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daoud Sediqi grows up in an Afghanistan full of music and movies. Then the Taliban arrive and Daoud becomes a revolutionary on the frontline of the cultural war. To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year's celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing without hijabs, Afghanistan's first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year's celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing without hijabs, Afghanistan's first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app. Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year's celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing without hijabs, Afghanistan's first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app. Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year's celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing without hijabs, Afghanistan's first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app. Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year's celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing without hijabs, Afghanistan's first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app. Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year's celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing without hijabs, Afghanistan's first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year's celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing without hijabs, Afghanistan's first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year's celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing without hijabs, Afghanistan's first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year's celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing without hijabs, Afghanistan's first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year's celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing without hijabs, Afghanistan's first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year's celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing without hijabs, Afghanistan's first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year's celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing without hijabs, Afghanistan's first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year's celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing without hijabs, Afghanistan's first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A young radio producer in Afghanistan is given an impossible task: to create a brand new, revolutionary talent show in just two months. Music at the end of this episode from Afghan musician Qais Maroof, contestant on The Voice of Afghanistan. To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know American Idol, The Voice, Americas Got Talent but what does one of these shows look like in a war torn country like Afghanistan. Havana Markings doc looks at exactly that. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/threedudespod/message

Filmmaker Anthony Shim on his award-winning film “Riceboy Sleeps,” the line between comedy and tragedy and how he just wants to make his parents proud. Plus, Afghan-Canadian filmmaker Fazila Amiri and singer Aryana Sayeed (34:04) on their documentary, “And I Still Sing,” which tells the story of how the reality singing show, "Afghan Star" made history when two courageous female contestants defied death threats to continue singing.

This week we hear from some of the women who've been making their mark in 2022. Danupha Khanatheerakul, known by her stage name Milli, is a 20-year-old Thai rapper. Last year she criticised the Thai government's response to COVID 19 and was charged with defamation, which led to the hashtag #SaveMilli trending on social media. She's been chosen as one of the BBC's 100 Women, which is a celebration of inspiring and influential women who've contributed to our world in incredible ways. Milli told the BBC's Valeria Perasso why she felt compelled to challenge Thai stereotypes and the government, and the impact of eating the Thai dessert of mango sticky rice onstage. The Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in 2021 and since their return many aspects of women's lives have been curtailed, including the ability to study. Music and the arts have also been banned across the country. To mark the first anniversary of the Taliban takeover, singer songwriter Elaha Soroor, along with other Afghan diaspora creatives, launched ‘Fly with Me,' a festival of music and kite flying that took place across Europe. In a conversation that was recorded before the Taliban ordered an indefinite ban on female higher education, Elaha spoke to the BBC Afghan journalist Sana Safi about the festival, and also about being a female singer in Afghanistan and her time on the TV talent show Afghan Star. The US poet Maggie Wang has won a number of awards this year including The Young Poets Network's Poems to Solve the Climate Crisis Challenge and Our Whole Lives, We Are Protest: A Poetry Challenge Inspired by the People of 1381. She's recently published her debut collection of poetry called The Sun on the Tip of a Snail's Shell. She told the BBC's Tina Daheley why she was drawn to creating poems highlighting the extinction of animals and plants. (Photo: Milli)

Lee Jung-jae won the Emmy for best actor for his role in Squid Game, making history as the first Asian actor to win an Emmy in this category. He sits down with Tom Power to talk about the moment when his name was called at the Emmys, and his directorial debut Hunt, a spy action thriller set in 1980's South Korea. Filmmaker Fazila Amiri and Aryana Sayeed tells the story of how the reality singing show Afghan Star made history when two courageous female contestants defied death threats to keep singing in the documentary And Still I Sing. Bear Grease is an all-Indigenous reimagining of Grease. Co-creators Crystle Lightning and MC Redcloud explain how they turned the 1978 film into a sold-out touring show.

Lee Jung-jae won the Emmy for best actor for his role in Squid Game, making history as the first Asian actor to win an Emmy in this category. He sits down with Tom Power to talk about the moment when his name was called at the Emmys, and his directorial debut Hunt, a spy action thriller set in 1980's South Korea. Filmmaker Fazila Amiri and Aryana Sayeed tells the story of how the reality singing show Afghan Star made history when two courageous female contestants defied death threats to keep singing in the documentary And Still I Sing. Bear Grease is an all-Indigenous reimagining of Grease. Co-creators Crystle Lightning and MC Redcloud explain how they turned the 1978 film into a sold-out touring show.

Pop singers from Afghanistan and Northern Ireland tell Kim Chakanetsa what it's like to perform in, coach and judge major singing competitions. Aryana Sayeed is the biggest female pop star in Afghanistan. She's been a judge on one of the country's biggest TV shows, Afghan Star and a coach on The Voice of Afghanistan. The multi-award winning performer was born in Kabul and raised in Switzerland, later moving to the UK. Aryana is also a women's rights activist, and wants to deliver a message of peace, love, and empowerment through her music. Janet Devlin was a quarter-finalist in the UK singing competition The X Factor. At just 16 years old and from a small town in Northern Ireland, she didn't love the attention that came with it and struggled against her inner critic on stage. She talks about the importance of being open about her mental health issues and addictions, and how the support of a female fanbase has brought greater confidence. IMAGE DETAILS L: Janet Devlin (credit - Emma-Jane Lewis) R: Aryana Sayeed (credit - Neelio Paris)

Saad Mohseni is one of Afghanistan's most influential businesspeople, and the co-founder of it's most popular television network, TOLO TV.He is the son of an Afghan diplomat who, soon after the 1979 Soviet invasion, sought political asylum in Australia. There, he worked in finance until the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, when he returned to Kabul with his brothers in search of business opportunities.The three brothers founded MOBY Group in 2003, and within a couple of years had established Arman FM, Afghanistan's first privately owned radio station, a revelation in a country where music and independent news had been banned under the Taliban regime, and by far it's most popular radio show today.Next, came TOLO TV, which produced its 15th season of the hit music talent show Afghan Star this year. The Pashto language Lemar TV  came in 2006 and then, in 2010, TOLO News, Afghanistan's first 24 hour television news network and, again, the country's most popular today.I spoke with Mohseni the same day intra-Afghan talks were getting underway in Doha, and asked him whether he still felt, as he said a year ago, whether the US had thrown Afghanistan under a bus in an effort to end its military involvement in the country. We talked about his lack of confidence in the team negotiating on behalf of the Afghan government, and his belief that at least a minimal U.S. military presence should remain in the country to ensure agreements between all parties are adhered to and, just as importantly, to keep Afghanistan's neighbours in check.Mohseni talks about the slow creep of progress since 2001, how he sees hope for the future in former hardline Taliban who've come off the battlefield into modern lives in Kabul and now own TV sets and watch Turkish soap-operas in the evening. We discuss corruption and striking a balance between retaining Afghan culture while pushing for progress through his efforts to encourage critical thinking and integrating women into public life and the economy. And, finally, we talk about the inherent practical and ethical difficulties faced by the media in an environment where one side has declared it a legitimate military target, and about the future of the media industry in Afghanistan at a time when the international funding that props it up is beginning to disappear.Click here to view the TOLO News documentary Daesh in Afghanistan.

Channy Leaneagh, the lead singer and synth player with the Minnesota band Polica, asks La Roux, Elaha Soroor, and Dana Gavanski what makes them want to write more, if they feel satisfied with the way they release music, and about their issues with the media industry. Elly Jackson, also known as La Roux, is a bona fide alt-pop star and Grammy Award-winning singer, who is now back with her first album in five years, Supervision. Dana Gavanski is a folk singer-songwriter born in Vancouver, Canada, to a Serbian family. She’s a newcomer on the music scene, who has made waves with her debut album Yesterday Is Gone. And “protest singer” Elaha Soroor, from Afghanistan, born in Iran, found fame on the TV show Afghan Star – the Afghan equivalent of American Idol. She was forced to flee the country after singing songs critical of the Afghan culture and its oppression of women.

The TV talent show Afghan Star has been running for 14 years, and has never been won by a woman singer. This year one of the two finalists is an 18-year-old girl – if she wins, it will be a historic breakthrough for the country. Sahar Zand meets finalist Zahra Elham, who has received death threats for singing on the show, and Afghanistan's most famous woman pop star Aryana Sayeed, a judge in the competition, who is constantly accompanied by an armed guard. She also visits the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, which is defying tradition as well as the Taliban in teaching musical instruments to young women. Afghan Star is much like any other TV talent show – except that its context is a war zone. The studios are guarded by bomb-proof gates and snipers, and the participants arrive by armoured vehicle. It is watched by millions throughout the country – and has led the way in a resurgence of music in Afghanistan despite constant threats.

Sahar Zand is in Kabul for the finals of Afghan Star, a TV talent show that is on the front line of the fight to keep music alive in Afghanistan, following the years of the Taliban regime, when music was banned. She hears from a singer who has been targeted by extremists, meets one of the Taliban’s senior figures to explore the reasons behind the cultural conflict, and follows the votes as the TV audience chooses between the two young finalists. Afghan Star is much like any other TV talent show – except that its context is a war zone.

JRR Tolkien’s literary canon has inspired some of the highest-grossing films ever, now a biopic about his life is being released to cinemas. Tolkien stars Nicholas Hoult as The Lord of the Rings author and looks at his formative years at school and during World War One. But last week the family of Tolkien have issued a rare public statement disavowing the film. Fantasy author and Tolkien fan Samantha Shannon gives her verdict on the film and the disapproval from the Tolkien estate. John Singleton directed Boyz n the Hood when he was 24, becoming the youngest director, and the first African-American to be Oscar nominated. He also worked with rap artists such as Ice Cube, Tupac and Snoop Dogg as well as making the music video to Michael Jackson’s hit Remember the Time which starred Eddy Murphy and Iman. Music journalist Jacqueline Springer considers his legacy. For the first time in its 14 year history, the Afghanistani TV talent competition Afghan Star, has been won by a woman. Journalist Sahar Zand discusses the status of music and women in a country still recovering from the authoritarian rule of the Taliban which banned music and severely restricted women's rights. It's the topic of her new documentary The Art of Now: Afghan Stars which is on Radio 4 next week. Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto and Dr Erik Scherder, Professor in Clinical Neuropsychology, talk about their series of concerts exploring the influence of music on the brain. They demonstrate how music is experienced by brains in different states such as a developing brain, an adult brain, or a vulnerable brain affected by diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Presenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Hannah Robins

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension Using a special camera that can see spirits, a family must protect their daughter from an evil entity with a sinister plan. The Last Witch Hunter The last witch hunter is all that stands between humanity and the combined forces of the most horrifying witches in history. Rock The Kasbah A down-on-his-luck music manager discovers a teenage girl with an extraordinary voice while on a music tour in Afghanistan and takes her to Kabul to compete on the popular television show, Afghan Star.  

Lyse Doucet presents the second in Radio 4's new interview series where respected broadcasters follow their passions by speaking to the people whose stories interest them most. Lyse has a long-standing connection to the country and people of Afghanistan, having reported from there for over 20 years. This month marks the 10th anniversary of the American led invasion, a good time to reflect on recent history and consider the future. This week she's talking to a media mogul who's changed the face of popular culture in a country where, until recently, TV was banned: Saad Mohseni has become known as Afghanistan's answer to Rupert Murdoch. Until recently he would have accepted that as a huge compliment, perhaps no longer. But, either way, Mohseni is a big player. Running his media empire out of offices in Dubai and Kabul, he's revolutionised TV and Radio broadcasting in Afghanistan by introducing local versions of international hits like Afghan Star (a singing competition in the X-Factor mould) and controversial radio programmes where male and female broadcasters are in studio together. His father was an Afghan diplomat who moved his family around the world - London, Tokyo, Kabul, with a long period in Australia. where, eventually, Saad became an investment banker. But shortly after the fall of the Taliban, Saad Mohseni returned to Afghanistan and, long fascinated with the media, established a hugely successful media empire. Join Lyse as she speaks to Saad Mohseni for One to One. Producer: Karen Gregor.

P3 Kultur 20101031 Programledare: Johanna Koljonen Producent: Tommie Jönsson Nördorama med Johanna Koljonen. P3 Kultur pratar obemannade farkoster och beväpnade robotar, cyberattacker på kärnkraftverk och Iron Man-rustningar på amerikanska soldater. Det låter som framtidskrig ur en science fiction-film. Men det är verklighet redan idag. Popkulturanalytikern Billy Rimgard är bisittare. Författaren och filosofen Anna-Karin Selberg pratar om krigets myter och homoerotik med bakgrund i hennes roman Skymning över Al-Omistan, som förtjänar att tämplas som en samtida klassiker. Brittiske satirikern Chris Morris berättar om oväntade lustigheter i terroristens vardag som han upptäckte medan han undersäkte medan han skrev manus till den festivalaktuella självmordsbombarkomedin Four Lions. P3 Kultur tar också en fika med världens just nu mest populäre svensktalande tv-kändis, Shakeb Isaar, nybliven programledare för Afghan Star. Shakeb tecknar en bild av ett Kabul vi sällan läser om, med sushib P3 Kultur pratar obemannade farkoster och beväpnade robotar, cyberattacker på kärnkraftverk och Iron Man-rustningar på amerikanska soldater. Det låter som framtidskrig ur en science fiction-film. Men det är verklighet idag, vilket vi på redaktionen tycker kanske var värt lite större rubriker. Kanske till och med så kallade krigsrubriker. Och kanske lite eftertanke också? Vi bjöd in popkulturanalytikern och P3 Kultur-favoriten Billy Rimgard (från poddprogrammet ) till ett tankfullt samtal om vad det egentligen innebär för krig och fred att slåss via videoskärmar och med hjälp av robotar. Deltar i samtalet gör också författaren och filosofen Anna-Karin Selberg, vars roman Skymning över Al-Omistan är den svenska krigslitteraturens stora samtidsklassiker. Den är också homopornografisk och befattar sig med krigets myter – vi pratar om hur och varför! Vi ringer den brittiske satirikern Chris Morris, vars självmordsbombarfars Four Lions är aktuell på Stockholms Filmfestival. Vad lär man sig av att researcha terrororganisationer i humorsyfte – och hur motiverar man alls att göra en sådan film? P3 Kultur tar också en fika med världens just nu mest populäre svensktalande tv-kändis, Shakeb Isaar, programledare för Afghan Star. Vi följer honom till flygplatsen när han efter fem års flyktingskap i Sverige återvänder till Afghanistan – och möter honom igen då han har återvänt för att snacka om hur vardagen egentligen ser ut i dagens Kabul. Dessutom samlas Boxcirkeln för ett samtal om fotboll, hjältemod och sexuell dubbelmoral i Dillon, Texas, när avsnitten 6-9 av första säsongen av Friday Night Lights äntligen dissekeras.

Weekly JourneywithJesus.net postings, read by Daniel B. Clendenin. Essay: *A Spirituality of Food: "The All-Sufficient Metaphor for Power"* for Sunday, 29 August 2010; book review: *Amnesty International Report 2010: The State of the World's Human Rights* (2010); film review: *Afghan Star* (2008, Afghanistan); poem review: *Bread of the World, In Mercy Broken* by Reginald Heber.

There are more politics in American Idol than you might image, especially in Pop Star, the version shown in Havana Marking's  (The Crippendales; Michael Palin: Himalaya; War on Terra - What would Jesus Drive?) documentary, Afghan Star....

I talk with Phil Stebbing, a British-born documentarian now residing in New Zealand. Phil made a powerful documentary short called "Our Last Hope Is You" about a friend in Afghanistan, and it's a must-watch to see how things are currently under the Taliban regime.We talk about his life in the UK, exile in Barcelona, his involvement in Afghan Star and stories of life in Afghanistan, New Zealand filmmaking, and more. Links:"Our Last Hope Is You" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRnWAuVZsvA&feature=youtu.be)Phil Stebbing's Website (https://www.philstebbing.com/)Redeem The Oppressed Nonprofit (https://redeemtheoppressed.org/)Doc Edge Film Festival 2024 (https://docedge.nz/)Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/donations