LOOKING FOR OUM KULTHUM
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