When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 1996, popular music, dancing and television were considered corrupting and sacrilegious and were banned. In the few years since the removal of the Taliban, music and other joyful expressions of art and culture have begun to re-emerge. Afghan society, particularly in liberal Kabul, has strived to move forward and to enjoy once denied freedoms in the shadow of war, despite suicide bombers and those who wish to reassert the repressive controls of the Taliban. The television phenomenon, Afghan Star stands in direct opposition to those Islamic militants and subverts the stereotypical outsider's view of Afghanistan as a primitive and superstitious nation with nothing in common with the West.

The film follows the dramatic stories of four contestants, from different backgrounds, some more traditional than others. Vying to be the nation's favourite singer Hameed Sakhizada from Kabul, Rafi Naabzada from Mazar-i-Sharif, and women Lima Sahar from Kandahar and Setara Hussainzanda from Herat, all risk their lives to perform on national television in front of huge audiences. They are faced with adoration from some and death threats from others for things as simple as having music lessons, dancing on stage or the tamest of wardrobe malfunctions. Afghan Star shows the bravery of Afghanistan's youth, particularly its young women and the very violent backlash this prompts.

While American Idol and The X Factor are seen as frivolous and geared towards mere entertainment, Afghan Star is democracy in action. With a third of the country watching and voting by mobile phone despite Taliban threats to destroy the network, the contestants are role models for promoting change, sexual equality and progress in an environment fraught with real danger. Havana Marking's Afghan Star warmly documents the very real struggle for liberation in Afghanistan.

This unique documentary had a highly acclaimed cinema release and as well as winning several awards at Sundance, has been selected as the UK's official Academy Award foreign language submission. It comes to UK DVD on 25th January 2010 courtesy of Dogwoof at the RRP of £14.99 with the following special features:

• Theatrical trailer;
• Interview with director Havana Marking.