And Still I Sing
Fazila AMIRI
- Canada
- 2022
- 90min
- G
- DCP
- color
KP
Synopsis
Controversial Afghan pop star and activist Aryana Sayeed mentors young hopefuls as they prepare to appear on a hit TV singing competition show. As the show’s female contestants Zahra Elham and Sadiqa Madadgar are on the verge of their dreams becoming reality, the Taliban returns to power.
Review
And Still I Sing is a story of three women in the music competition program that could be called the Afghanistan’s “American Idol.” At the center of the program is the famous “Afghan popstar,” Aryana Sayeed. Aryana has been raising voice on the Afghan female rights. She was threatened of her life by Afghan fundamentalists but remains confident. On the other pole of the story are the two wannabe singers, Zahra and Sadiqa, who dare to become the next “Afghan Popstar.” Going through the competition, the two women build friendship with each other and prove their talents. However, when Taliban reclaimed power after increasing attacks, the efforts of three women face the risk of becoming nothing. With the situation turning more and more extreme, Fazila Amiri presents us with the sublime and touching camaraderie between women who do not lose trust and support for each other. And Still I Sing contains the voices of women that cannot be erased by any radical beliefs or ideologies. This is the song of all Afghan women who raise the low voice all around the world even at this time.Director
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Fazila AMIRI
Afghan-Canadian director and screenwriter based in Toronto. Her first feature documentary film, And Still I Sing screened at Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, Sheffield DocFest, Doc Edge Festival, and Sydney Film Festival, and is currently on the festival circuit.