Umm Kulthum's primary photo
  • Umm Kulthum (1996)
  • Not Rated
    67 min | Documentary
Umm Kulthum (1996)
Not Rated
67 min | Documentary
She had the musicality of Ella Fitzgerald, the public presence of Eleanor Roosevelt, and the audience of Elvis Presley. Her name was Umm Kulthum, and she became a powerful symbol, first of the aspirations of her country, Egypt, and then of...See moreShe had the musicality of Ella Fitzgerald, the public presence of Eleanor Roosevelt, and the audience of Elvis Presley. Her name was Umm Kulthum, and she became a powerful symbol, first of the aspirations of her country, Egypt, and then of the entire Arab world. Born a peasant at the turn of the century, she became a woman of great wealth and power, confidant of presidents and kings, and above all, President Gamal Abd al-Nasser's unofficial ambassador in the region. Four million people were on the streets of Cairo for her funeral in 1975. To this day, her cassettes outsell every other Arabic female vocalist. Narrated by Omar Sharif, Umm Kulthum, A Voice Like Egypt is the first documentary to bring Umm Kulthum to an American audience. The film puts her life in the context of the epic story of 20th century Egypt as it shook off colonialism and confronted modernity. The camera explores her astonishing connection with her audience, taking us into her village in the Nile Delta, and into the cafes, markets, and streets of Cairo where she lived and worked. From the Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz to a 12-year-old girl in an outdoor restaurant, people speak about the role Umm Kulthum's music has played in their lives, and sing their favorite songs for the camera. Written by Arab Film Distribution See less
Read more: Plot summary | Synopsis
Director
Michal Goldman
Writer
Virginia Danielson (book "The Voice of Egypt: Umm Kulthum, Arabic Song, and Egyptian Society in the Twentieth Century")
Cinematographer
Kamal Abd Al-Aziz
Editor
Michal Goldman
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Oct 9, 1996
Release date
Oct 9, 1996 (United States)
Awards
1 win

Contacts

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Cast

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5 cast members
Name Known for
Tawfik Badawi's primary photo
Tawfik Badawi
Tawfik Badawi Tawfik Badawi   See fewer
Umm Kulthum (1996)
Virginia Danielson's primary photo
Virginia Danielson
Self Self   See fewer
Umm Kulthum (1996)
Amal Fahmy's primary photo
Amal Fahmy
Amal Fahmy Amal Fahmy   See fewer
Umm Kulthum (1996)
Umm Kulthum's primary photo
Umm Kulthum
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Wedad (1936)
Omar Sharif's primary photo
Omar Sharif
Narrator (voice) Narrator (voice)   See fewer
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
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3 external reviews & 2 more links