Egyptian actor takes on iconic role of singer Umm Kulthum

Egyptian actress Mona Zaki spent over a year preparing for what she describes as the most challenging role of her careerportraying the legendary singer Umm Kulthum, a figure revered across the Arab world. Marwan Hamed's film "El Sett" ("The Lady") made its debut this week at the Marrakech International Film Festival, where Zaki opened up about the immense pressures of embodying such an iconic personality.

"I felt completely overwhelmed at first," Zaki admitted. "I wasnt sure where to even begin."

Despite being one of Egypts most familiar faces in cinema, Zaki faced real anxiety stepping into the shoes of a woman whose influence persists decades after her passing. Umm Kulthum is remembered not only for her extraordinary voice and marathon-length performances but also for her distinctive scarves and sunglasses. Portraying her journeyfrom a girl in a small Nile Delta village born in 1898 to a singer captivating millionsproved to be a formidable task.

The 49-year-old actress spent 15 months meticulously studying Umm Kulthum's gestures, posture, and vocal qualities, even though the film does not feature Zaki singing in her own voice.

Opening Scenes and Historical Context

The film begins not in Egypt but in Paris, where Umm Kulthum performed at a sold-out Olympia in 1967. She starts her most famous song, "Enta Omri", as an elated fan rushes forward and collapses before her. Profits from this performance were donated to support the Egyptian army during the Sinai conflict with Israel.

The story then rewinds to her childhood in the Nile Delta, where her imam father disguised her as a boy to allow her to perform religious chants publicly. He recognized her remarkable talent but remained wary of conservative societal norms in early 20th-century Egypt.

Legacy and Impact

Director Marwan Hamed emphasized Umm Kulthums enduring influence. "Her presence is still strongly felt among us, not just because of her voice, but because of what it represented for the people," he said.

Umm Kulthums music has reached audiences beyond the Arab world, with figures like Bob Dylan praising her work. Her fusion of classical poetry and orchestral music, coupled with marathon performances, set her apart from contemporaries. Hamed highlighted the blend of power and vulnerability in her stage presence, noting the extraordinary challenges she overcame throughout her life.

After her early performances in her village, Umm Kulthum moved to Cairo in the 1920s and, within a decade, achieved widespread fame. Zaki described her as "the voice of the Arab people, symbolizing hope, strength, and resilience."

Hamed praised Umm Kulthum for asserting her artistic choices and shaping her own path, stating that the film celebrates "her enduring legacy and the remarkable journey that created it."

Author: Aiden Foster