This touring program runs Thursday, June 3, through thursday, June 10, at Facets Cinematheque and the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago. Unless otherwise noted, tickets are $9, free for Facets members. Following are selected screenings; for more information and a complete schedule call 773-281-4114 or see facets.org.
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Afghan Star After the people of Afghanistan voted to lift restrictions on public singing and dancing in 2004, the independent Tolo TV channel, inevitably perhaps, launched a native version of Britain’s Got Talent and American Idol, called Afghan Star. This fascinating documentary by Havana Marking traces the program’s third season from open auditions in Kandahar, which drew some 2,000 hopefuls, through the final episode, which was watched by 11 million Afghans. In a country still dominated by Islamic fundamentalism and marked by ethnic tensions, the show became a lightning rod: the 22-year-old Setara, one of two female singers to appear, was forced into hiding after she spontaneously let her head scarf drop during a number, and the last three contestants became causes for their respective factions. 82 min. —J.R. Jones Sat 6/5, 3 PM, and Sun 6/6, 7:30 PM, Facets Cinematheque
The Oath Laura Poitras directed this documentary about the divergent fortunes of two men who served Osama bin Laden: his bodyguard, Abu Jandal, now living freely in Yemen, and his driver, Salim Hamdan, now a prisoner at Guantanamo. Screening as part of the opening-night program, which also includes a reception at 5:30 PM and a post-show discussion with Poitras and Joanne Mariner, terrorism/counterterrorism director for Human Rights Watch. Tickets are $75-250. Thu 6/3, 6:30 PM, Museum of Contemporary Art (Education Center entrance)
