Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt

A national treasure in Egypt, Umm Kulthum is considered one of the greatest singers in the history of Arabic music. Born in a small village in 1898, Kulthum developed a remarkably powerful voice and performance style that made her the most popular singer in Egypt. Ultimately, Kulthum became a person with great influence even beyond the musical realm. Millions of mourners lined the streets of Cairo for her funeral procession in 1975—even more than for President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s funeral five years prior.

Narrated by Omar Sharif, Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt is comprised of abundant concert footage and interviews with the singer’s friends and colleagues, forming a compelling portrait of one of the most important musical artists of the 20th century. (67 mins., digital video)

Kulthum is a key touchpoint in Sahar Khoury: Umm, on view in our galleries August 25 through December 30. Catch this and other lunchtime films presented free of charge in conjunction with our autumn exhibitions. Stop by Heirloom Café to pick up lunch or a snack to enjoy during the film, and explore the galleries to discover connections in Khoury’s work.

IMAGE CAPTION  
Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt, courtesy of the filmmaker.