Boğaziçi Film Festival opens with ‘Diva: Umm Kulthum’

The 14th Boğaziçi Film Festival, organized by the Boğaziçi Culture and Art Foundation, will open with the film ‘Diva: Umm Kulthum’ (El Sett: Umm Kulthum). Directed by Egyptian filmmaker Marwan Hamed, the biographical production stars Mona Zaki in the lead role.

The film traces the life of the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, beginning with her preparations to perform at the Paris Olympia at age 69 before flashing back to her origins. It depicts her journey from a poor rural upbringing to becoming one of the most influential voices in the Arab world, highlighting her struggles against social barriers and gender norms, including a period where she performed in male attire to navigate societal restrictions.

The festival is scheduled to run from November 8 to November 15. The film, which has a runtime of approximately 160 minutes, previously held its world premiere at the 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival.