El Sett

Directed by Marwan Hamed

Egypt

2025

162 mins

All Ages

Legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum’s life is brought lavishly to the big screen in this epic telling – from her humble childhood to dominating the world stage.

Revered throughout the Arab world and beyond, Umm Kulthum began her career performing religious songs as a child, disguised as a boy, at events she was taken to by her protective father. When her talent was eventually recognised, she moved to Cairo, where the big city customs shocked and success eluded her. But by constantly defying expectations and transcending societal constraints, while displaying incredible business savvy, Umm Kulthum developed a following astonishing in size and fervour. Director Marwan Hamed (The Yacoubian Building, SFF 2007) paints a complex portrait of the icon, played deftly by Mona Zaki, as she deals with fame, wealth, romance and politics in this dazzling biopic.

“... the film unfolds on screen with the effortless flow of a lifetime, leaving viewers mesmerised and eager to immerse themselves in [Umm Kulthum’s] complete body of work, in an attempt to capture even a fraction of her unmatched power and presence.”

Leïla Amar, The New Arab

“El Sett is deeply invested in [Umm Kulthum’s] emotional and romantic life. From her foundational relationships with her father and brother to her romantic encounters, the film repeatedly returns to longing as its emotional motor.”

Ali Benzekri, International Cinephile Society

“Marwan Hamed is the most fascinating director to emerge from Egypt’s ever-fertile film culture in the last quarter century.”

Vanja Kaludjercic, International Film Festival Rotterdam

Leïla Amar, The New Arab

Tickets

Tue 9 June 2026, 8pm

Past Event

Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 4

Event George St - Cinema 4

Sat 13 June 2026, 5:15pm

Past Event

Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 4

Event George St - Cinema 4

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Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

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