$25 Encore Screening: "El Sett" + Umm Kulthum's Story (SF)

Submitted by the Event OrganizerImage courtesy of Watermelon PicturesThe 30th Arab Film Festival opens on Thursday November 5th with El Sett, Marwan Hamed’s sweeping cinematic portrait of legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, one of the most celebrated and influential artists in the history of the Arab world. The 6 pm Opening Night screening is almost sold out, so we opened an Encore Screening for all night owls who want to watch El Sett! PLEASE NOTE: The Encore Screening is offered at a reduced price because it includes only the movie (there won’t be a program before or a performance after) You are invited to join us in your best attire, just like you would have dressed to see Umm Kulthum perform at her legendary 1967 performance at Paris’s Olympia! Let’s transform the evening into a memorable tribute to the most iconic Arab singer of all times. About EL SETT Starring Mona Zaki as Umm Kulthum, the film traces her extraordinary journey from a childhood singing in rural Egypt, where she performed disguised as a boy, to her rise as the Arab world’s most iconic voice. The story culminates around her historic 1967 performance at Paris’s Olympia, while exploring the ambition, sacrifice, resilience, and defiance of social conventions that shaped her remarkable life. More than the story of a musical legend, El Sett is a portrait of a woman whose voice became inseparable from the cultural and political life of a generation. Its themes of artistic power, female ambition, identity, and Arab cultural memory make the film a fitting opening to this year’s Festival. This screening is also included as part of our VIP & Festival Passes. We recommend all pass holders reserve a ticket to ensure their place should this event sell out. The flagship event of the Arab Film and Media Institute (AFMI), the Arab Film Festival is the longest running and largest independent festival of its kind in North America. Join us from Nov.5th to Nov 14th and enjoy more than 30 events across San Francisco, Oakland, and the South Bay, including film screenings, filmmaker conversations, panels, special presentations and community events, with select programming available virtually. Full schedule at arabfilmfestival.org Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.