DISPATCH FROM AMSTERDAM | Never mind the Economy and Fickle Tastes, IDFA Carries Forward

“I was conflicted with my growing affection for Farah [and]  with my desire to ask about the Shah’s own brutality,” commented Sarvestani. The film is a great examination of how a doc filmmaker must contend with a subject imposing their will and to what extent a filmmaker allows the subject to create their own persona. Additionally, “The Queen and I” is an interesting parallel story of two women on opposing sides of Iran’s social strata who are forced into exile as a result of history.

“Rough Aunties”

Director Kim Longinotto (“Sisters in Law”) returns to IDFA with her latest doc, “Rough Aunties,” which will be released in the U.S. via Women Make Movies. Longinotto also returned to Africa for her new film, about an organization called Bobbi Bear, which helps rehabilitate and fight for justice on behalf of children who face abuse. Longinotto’s film emotionally captures the complex work of the “aunties,” offering psychological and physical support for children. Despite the grim stories of victims, the film is also a portrait of hope seen through the work of this organization which is a beacon of light in Durban.

“I very much trusted the people I was working with, and if they told me that [filming] wasn’t working for a [certain] child I’d stop,” commented Longinotto who first heard about Bobbi Bear from fellow filmmakers at IDFA last year. “We’ve been filmed before and it’s normally a pain the butt,” offered up one of the aunties during a post-screening Q&A. “But with Kim - she was sent by the God I believe in… I didn’t know she was there half the time, but she [also] became a part of the team.”

“Afghan Star”

Not long ago, singing was a punishable offense in Afghanistan. Under Taliban rule, music along with many cultural expressions were banned, even punishable by death. Following the 2004 elections, the restrictions were finally lifted and though cultural attitudes die hard, the resurgence of music in the conservative society has returned. One obvious sign is popular television show “Afghan Star,” modeled after “Pop Idol” (and “American Idol” in the United States). Nearly 11 million people, about one-third of the population watch the show every week, voting and supporting their favorites - often outside ethnic lines - who pursue glory and the contest’s $5,000 cash prize, the equivalent of about ten times the average annual wage. Director Havana Marking personalizes the stories of several of the contestants, some of whom still risk reprisals from an ever present Taliban. One contestant from the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar even rehearses in secret because her participation is so dangerous.

“There were three bombs in the first week I was there,” said Marking in Amsterdam. “It was really frightening, but seeing the staff working so hard at Tolo TV and their dedication just made me forget what was happening.” Tolo TV is Afghanistan’s network which produces “Idol.” Because entertainment, like so much else was banned during the Taliban era, the staff are learning as they go. Marking also explained that the network’s news department is aggressive in highlighting the current regime’s shortcomings, so it too is facing harrassment from the government which has threatened to shut down “Idol.”

“We cannot show this film in Afghanistan. A lot of the women wouldn’t appear [in it] if they knew it would show in their country.” Continuing Marking added, “The vast majority of people ant freedom, want safety, and simply want to be able to talk about a TV show and not have to talk about how many of their family members have been killed…”

indieWIRE’s coverage of the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam continues throughout this week.

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