Egyptian Director Marwan Hamed on Portraying the Arab World’s Greatest 20th-Century Performer Umm Kulthum and Why She’s Still ‘Influential’ (EXCLUSIVE)

As a fan of Marwan Hamed and a connoisseur of Arabic cinema, I must say that his latest work, “El Set,” is nothing short of a masterpiece. The story of Umm Kulthum, the Arab world’s greatest singer, is not just about her incredible voice but also about her journey as a trailblazer who defied societal norms and expectations.

Noted Egyptian filmmaker Marwan Hamed, widely recognized globally for his innovative masterpiece “The Yacoubian Building,” has lately produced “El Set,” a biographical film about legendary Egyptian figure Umm Kulthum, often referred to as the most celebrated vocalist in the Arab world.

Kulthum is not only lauded by the likes of Bob Dylan and Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin, but also a host of other renowned Western musicians, while her music has been utilized by Beyoncé and Shakira in their own compositions.

Hamed’s latest Arabic movie, currently in post-production, showcases Egyptian actor Mona Zaki portraying a renowned vocalist hailing from Tamay al‐Zahirah village in the Nile Delta. This character gained fame starting from the late 1920s by being the first Arab singer to share her music with the public through contemporary technologies such as radio, gramophone, cinema, and television.

Throughout her illustrious career spanning six decades, Kumudha produced approximately 300 tracks, captivating countless admirers and challenging societal conventions through her potent, frequently politically motivated tunes.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll get a 18-minute exclusive sneak peek of “El Set,” a movie jointly produced by Egypt’s Synergy Films, Film Square, and Film Clinic, along with Big Time Investment from Saudi Arabia. This captivating preview will be unveiled during the upcoming Atlas Workshops at the Marrakech Festival, which kicks off today. I can hardly wait!

EbMaster had a conversation with Hamed, discussing the deeper meanings of Kulthum’s artistry aside from her exceptional vocal skills, and why she remains contemporary and significant in today’s context.

Umm Kulthum is widely regarded as the Arab world’s most renowned vocalist. Beyond her musical talent, she holds significant symbolic value. As a Muslim female artist, she managed to surpass all boundaries related to gender, religion, politics, and nationality. Could you discuss the aspects of her life and character that “El Set” explores?

The most captivating element of the movie revolves around this central question: How did a poor village girl who disguised herself as a boy transform into an iconic figure, not just through her musical accomplishments, but also by becoming a symbol of femininity? This transformation, her battles with societal norms, and her impact on perception are the film’s primary focus. Her journey from obscurity to prominium in the Arab world, where she earned the nickname “El Set,” or “The Lady,” is the reason we titled the movie as such. This title encapsulates her metamorphosis in the Arab world, but also symbolizes her extraordinary life’s journey that we discovered during our research.

What are some of the most significant facets of Umm Kulthum’s journey?

In the Arab musicians’ guild, she was among the pioneering females to secure election. This victory was remarkable, given it was uncommon during the mid-40s. Moreover, she bravely challenged societal norms regarding marriage and family, standing against the conventional pressures placed upon women in terms of career and family balance. What’s truly astounding about her is her courage to make personal choices based on her convictions, regardless of external opinions. This self-determination is, I believe, her most potent legacy. She made her own decisions, a rare feat in a society that did not encourage such autonomy, whether it was her village community, the monarchy, or post-1952 Egypt.

Tell me more about the film’s female empowerment elements

She experienced significant periods and adapted well to various societal shifts during that era, while also wielding considerable political power. What’s captivating about her tale is how it mirrors aspects of our current world, making several relevant comparisons possible. Essentially, the story weaves through time in a somewhat unconventional, non-chronological fashion.

What about Umm Kulthum’s personality?

We’ve delved into her deep-seated anxieties, as this is a topic she and numerous others have addressed openly. Often, people have a remote perception of her due to the long shots used in her performances on stage, which give off an aloof vibe that she deliberately cultivated. However, the movie serves as a platform to uncover her inner struggles, because she wasn’t invincible. She harbored fears, and overcoming them was no walk in the park.

Discuss with me your experience collaborating with Mona Zaki, who’s currently riding high from the recent acclaim of her work in the feminist-themed thriller “Flight 404,” a film that represents Egypt in the Oscars and has made waves beyond the regional boundaries.

This is a very demanding role that needed someone with Mona’s abilities. She puts in a tour de force performance that I think will have a very strong emotional impact on audience. In terms of prep, for an entire year Mona went through singing lessons, movement lessons, dialect coaching, and lots of makeup rehearsals. She had to sit in the [makeup] chair for six hours every day before the cameras rolled. It’s a very demanding role because you are not just focusing on one period of Umm Kulthum’s life, you are jumping back and forth between lots of different moments. That in itself is very demanding, because Umm Kulthum changes a lot. When you really break down this character, it’s not just one character, because the changes she goes through are huge. Mona gave it everything, gave it so much hard work, and I really think that the end result is going to have a powerful resonance.

Does the movie have a pan-Arabic influence, without a doubt. Yet, Umm Kulthum was adored globally. So, how does the film represent her global fanbase?

1967 marked the sole European appearance of Umm Kulthum at the Olympia Theatre in Paris. In the movie, we witness her, now 70 years old, captivating a massive crowd in Paris. This performance took place during a politically charged period, following the 1967 [Arab-Israeli] conflict. Her ability to perform in Europe so soon after the war demonstrates the profound impact and influence she held. To this day, her power and influence remain significant. I often ponder that moment: the war occurred in June, yet here was Umm Kulthum performing in Europe at an advanced age in November, showcasing the magnitude of her influence and power.

Below: a first look image of “El Set”

Egyptian Director Marwan Hamed on Portraying the Arab World’s Greatest 20th-Century Performer Umm Kulthum and Why She’s Still ‘Influential’ (EXCLUSIVE)

2024-11-29 18:17

Egyptian Director Marwan Hamed on Portraying the Arab World’s Greatest 20th-Century Performer Umm Kulthum and Why She’s Still ‘Influential’ (EXCLUSIVE)

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