Looking for Oum Kulthum, a new film revolving around the life and work of the renowned Egyptian singer-actress and Arab icon, had its world premiere on the 7th edition of the Venice International Film Festival earlier this month. Directed by New York-based Iranian filmmaker Shirin Neshat, the film is one of 12 productions from around the world that was selected to compete for the official awards. The 90-minute production, which features dialogue in English, Arabic and Farsi, is not a typical biopic but is rather centered on the experiences of “an Iranian woman filmmaker, living in exile, who dares to make a film about an iconic Arab singer without being Arabic herself,” the director herself explained in an interview. Nashat said she was intrigued by the life and character of Oum Kulthum, since, “as a Muslim woman artist, [she] was able to transcend all sexual, religious, political, and national barriers and expectations, and became the single most significant Middle Eastern artist of the 20th century.” Exploring the plight of the “Star of the East,” as Oum Kulthum came to be called, to achieve success in a male-dominated society and media…
Egyptian Icon Oum Kulthum Featured in New Film Screened at Venice Film Festival
September 24, 2017
