Rock the Kasbah (film)

Rock the Kasbah is a 2015 American comedy film directed by Barry Levinson and written by Mitch Glazer. The film stars Bill Murray as Richie Lanz, a down-on-his-luck music manager who finds himself stranded in Afghanistan with his only client.

Plot Summary:

Richie Lanz, an aging rock manager, takes his last remaining client, Ronnie, on a USO tour of Afghanistan. When Ronnie abandons him, stealing his passport and money, Richie is left stranded in Kabul. He stumbles upon a young Pashtun woman named Salima, who possesses an extraordinary singing voice. Richie sees an opportunity to help Salima compete on "Afghan Star," Afghanistan's equivalent of "American Idol," against the wishes of her conservative father and amidst cultural and political tensions. Along the way, he encounters a cynical mercenary (Bruce Willis) and a pair of arms dealers (Kate Hudson and Danny McBride) who further complicate his situation. Richie must navigate the dangerous and unfamiliar landscape to help Salima achieve her dream, while also rediscovering his own purpose.

Cast:

• Bill Murray as Richie Lanz
• Zooey Deschanel as Ronnie
• Kate Hudson as Merci
• Bruce Willis as Bombay Brian
• Danny McBride as Nick
• Leem Lubany as Salima
• Scott Caan as Jake
• Fahim Anwar as Habib Khan
• Taylor Kinney as Private Barnes

Production:

The film was shot on location in Morocco.

Reception:

Rock the Kasbah received generally negative reviews from critics, who criticized its writing, tone, and cultural insensitivity. It was also a box office disappointment. Criticisms often centered around the film's perceived misrepresentation of Afghan culture and its reliance on stereotypes. However, some praised Murray's performance.