El Sett
Biographical film about Oum Kalsoum
New biographical film 'El Sett' about the famous Egyptian singer Oum Kalsoum.
At the Music Film Festival, taking place from September 18 through September 20 in Tilburg, the film Ell Sett (“The Lady”) by Egyptian filmmaker Marwan Hamed premiered, focusing on the life of Oum Kalsoum.
In a powerful opening sequence, the film is built around Oum Kalsoum’s historic 1967 concert at the Olympia Theater in Paris. Fans had come from all over the world to see her perform. From there, Hamed moves back and forth through time, highlighting key moments in Oum Kalsoum’s development both as an artist and as a woman – at once strong and vulnerable.
Oum Kalsoum was renowned for her rich, powerful voice and unparalleled expressiveness. She gave a new dimension to traditional music through her interpretations of classical Arabic poetry and religious songs.
Through her music, Oum Kalsoum also played an important role in the cultural emancipation of Arab communities, including Moroccan workers and other Arab migrants in the 1970s.