El Sett: Reintroducing Umm Kulthum to the Big Screen, Beyond the Legend
- FSA Team
- Dec 22, 2025
- 1 min read
El Sett is a 2025 biographical drama film that chronicles the life and legacy of the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, widely known as "Kawkab al-Sharq" (Star of the East).
Film Details
Director: Marwan Hamed.
Writer: Ahmed Mourad.
Release Date: The film premiered at the Marrakech International Film Festival in late November 2025 and was released in Egyptian and Arab cinemas on December 10, 2025.
Running Time: Approximately 155 minutes (2 hours and 35 minutes).
Cast:
Mona Zaki stars as Umm Kulthum.
The ensemble cast includes Mohamed Farrag, Sayyed Ragab, Ahmed Helmy, Karim Abdel Aziz, Nelly Karim, and Amina Khalil.
Plot & Themes
The film traces Umm Kulthum's journey from her humble beginnings in a small village in the Nile Delta to becoming the most influential singer in the Arab world. It explores:
Early Life: Her struggle to pursue music in a conservative society, including singing disguised as a boy.
Rise to Fame: Her ascent in Cairo and her transformation into a national icon and "The Voice of Egypt".
Political Context: How her career intertwined with major historical events, such as the 1952 Egyptian Revolution and the era of Pan-Arabism.
Personal Struggles: Her sacrifices for her art, her health challenges, and her unconventional personal relationships.
The official trailer showcases the film's grand production and emotional depth:
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