Regie, Kamera, Produktion Kinofilme
 

LOOKING FOR OUM KULTHUM

by Shirin Neshat

Drama | GER, AUT, ITA, MOR | 2017 | 90 min

SYNOPSIS​

Mitra, an ambitious artist, mother and wife in her late 40s, embarks on her lifelong dream of making a film about her hero, the legendary singer of the Arab World, Oum Kulthum. Her film’s central aim is to explore the struggles, sacrifices and the price of Oum Kulthum’s success as a female artist living in a conservative male dominated society.

Mitra herself achieved fame and success abroad, but her career choices made it impossible to return home, which separated her from her son and family.

The increasing difficulties of capturing Oum Kulthum’s essence as a myth, a woman, and an artist lead Mitra to have a complete breakdown.

Now Ghada, an exceptionally gifted actress and singer playing the role of Oum Kulthum, comes to Mitra’s rescue, as she is connected to the core of life and femininity and is naturally wise. Through this Mitra achieves self-realisation and an artistic breakthrough.

CAST

Neda Rahmanian

Yasmin Raeis

Mehdi Moinzadeh

Kais Nashif

CREW

Director Shirin Neshat in collaboration with Shoja Azari

Script Shoja Azari and Shirin Neshat

DoP Martin Gschlacht

Production Design Erwin Prib

Costume Design Mariano Tufano

Sound Claus Benischke-Lang

Editing Nadia Ben Rachid

Producers Roman Paul, Gerhard Meixner, Bruno Wagner, Martin Gschlacht, Antonin Svoboda, Shirin Neshat, Shoja Azari