ARAB CLASSICS: An Evening with Umm Kulthum, showcasing ASWAT

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An evening you will not want to miss. Join us for a special presentation of ARAB CLASSICS at this year’s Arab Film Festival as we present the Egyptian classic FATMA (1947), starring the legendary Umm Kulthum. The screening will be preceded by a performance by ASWAT, Bay Area’s musical voice of Arab America.

FATMA (Egypt, 1947)
directed by Ahmed Badrakhan

*Limited seating for this event*

Legendary diva Umm Kulthum stars in this classic film about a poor nurse who falls in love with the son of one of her wealthy patients. Abandoned by her husband while pregnant, she must fight her husband’s wealthy and powerful family in court. A rare treat, this film features nine of Umm Kulthum’s most famous songs by composers Mohamed Al Asabgui and Riad Al Sunbati.

Umm Kulthum is considered one of the greatest Arab musicians who ever lived. For over fifty years, she stunned the Arab world with her unmatchable voice; her vocals able to penetrate people’s hearts and express the soul of nations. Her lyrics were written by poets who eagerly offered their pieces to her in hopes of becoming the next esteemed songwriter ordained into Umm Kulthum’s repertoire.