Atlas Film Showcase
EL SETT
Synopsis
Ailing from a sickness that threatens to silence her forever, Umm Kulthum, the greatest Egyptian singer the world has ever known, takes to the stage one last time for her most important performance ever—one with the potential to heal a nation broken in the shadow of a great defeat. As she steps slowly onto the stage to deafening chants and applause, fearful for her health and her country, a legend finds herself walking down memory lane, reminiscing about her humble beginnings and the seven-decade journey of triumphs, failures, defying of social conventions, and loves lost that followed.
Abdelsalam Moussa
Ahmed Hafez
Hesham Nazih
Mona Zaki, Mohamed Farag, Amr Saad, Ahmed Helmy, Karim Abdelaziz, Sayed Ragab, Ahmed Dawood, Ahmed Amin
Film Square (Egypt)
Ahmed Badawy
Film Clinic (Egypt)
Mohamed Hefzy
Luxor Studios (Egypt)
Marwan Hamed
Oscar Studios (Egypt)
Wael Abdallah
Director’s statement
Umm Kulthum's story has always deeply inspired me. Her journey is a unique blend of artistic excellence and female empowerment, reshaping Egyptian and Arab music. Her legacy, for nearly 50 years after her passing in the 1970s, remains a symbol of inspiration, significantly influencing the status of women across the Arab world. This film explores her journey, transformation, and the obstacles she faced. I envision it as a tense, character-driven film with a powerful soundtrack that conveys my vision. Telling her story today is especially relevant, as it serves as both a critique and reflection of contemporary issues. Umm Kulthum addressed many of the social questions we grapple with today, and her legacy showcases the limitless potential of women.
Biographies
An award-winning Egyptian filmmaker with 20+ years of groundbreaking work in film, commercials, and documentaries. His debut, The Yacoubian Building, was the largest Egyptian film of its time, and it became a box office sensation after premiering at Berlinale. Hamed's impressive repertoire includes record-breaking hits like Ibrahim Al Abyad, the Blue Elephant series—featuring The Blue Elephant 2, the third highest-grossing film in Egypt—and Kira & El Gin, the second highest-grossing film. With accolades including Best New Narrative Director at Tribeca & a Career Achievement Award at El Gouna, Hamed continues to set new standards in Egyptian cinema.
Ahmed Badawy is an Egyptian Producer who began his career as a production manager. In 2008, he transitioned to producing and executing numerous film projects. In 2018, he became a partner and general manager of Synergy Films, a film production company under the Synergy Group. He later founded his own company, Film Square, which has produced several successful films, many of which topped the box office.