Marrakech – The 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival showcased the world premiere of “El Sett,” an ambitious biographical film chronicling the life of legendary Egyptian singer Oum Kalthoum.

Director Marwan Hamed and screenwriter Ahmed Mourad presented their 160-minute opus exploring the journey of “Kawkab al-Sharq” (Star of the East) from a small Delta village to global stardom.

The film features actress Mona Zaki in the challenging lead role, supported by an ensemble cast including Sayed Ragab, Ahmed Khaled Saleh, Mohamed Farag, Karim Abdel Aziz, and Ahmed Helmy. United Media Services and Big Time Productions collaborated on the production, aiming to capture the complexity of Egypt’s most celebrated artist.

A life shaped by power, art, and politics

Speaking to Morocco World News (MWN) at the festival, Egypt’s Ambassador to Morocco, Ahmed Nihad Abdel-Latif, explained the cultural significance of the screening.

“I think Oum Kalthoum is the most famous singer that Egypt and the Arab world have witnessed in the 20th century,” Abdel-Latif stated. “She came to Morocco, and she did very important concerts here in 1968, in the late 60s, that were widely attended.”

The ambassador noted Oum Kalthoum’s universal appeal across Arab nations. “Oum Kalthoum does not only belong to Egypt, but she also belongs to the entire Arab world,” he declared.