El Sett (2025) — Mona Zaki as Umm Kulthum — Biopic & Musical Drama
El Sett (2025) — Mona Zaki as Umm Kulthum
Genre: Biopic · Musical Drama · Historical
Director: Marwan Hamed · Writer: Ahmed Mourad ·
Cast: Mona Zaki, Karim Abdel Aziz, Ahmed Helmy, Nelly Karim, Amina Khalil, Mohamed Farag, Amr Saad, Ahmed Khaled Saleh, Sayed Ragab.
Short overview
El Sett is a high-profile cinematic biography of Umm Kulthum — the “Star of the East” — featuring Mona Zaki in the title role. The film follows her journey from a small village to international stardom across seven decades, highlighting artistic triumphs, political engagements, and personal hardships. The production uses international makeup and sound teams and modern technologies to recreate multiple life stages.
Plot summary
The film traces Umm Kulthum’s early talent, her move to Cairo, the struggle to be heard, the breakthrough performances, and her role as a cultural icon who often stood with the people and state in key historical moments. It also addresses medical challenges she faced and personal sacrifices behind the public persona. El Sett aims to balance spectacle — grand concerts and period recreations — with intimate, human scenes.
Cast & Key performances
Mona Zaki embodies Umm Kulthum in multiple phases of life — an intense dramatic turn that anchors the film.
Ahmed Helmy appears in a police/authority role in the promo; Karim Abdel Aziz and Nelly Karim occupy pivotal supporting roles. Several prominent Egyptian stars appear in guest roles, creating a large ensemble.
Directorial approach & production notes
Directed by Marwan Hamed and scripted by Ahmed Mourad, the film enlisted global teams for makeup and sound to accurately age the lead and reproduce historical performances. Scenes were shot from mid-2024 onward; the production has positioned the film for festival premieres (Marrakech, Rotterdam spotlight) before its theatrical rollout.
Festival screenings & release plan
El Sett received festival attention (Marrakech Intl. Film Festival; European festival spotlight/Rotterdam) and is slated for a wide theatrical release in early December 2025 — with reported Egyptian release on 10 December 2025 and regional runs following.
Why watch?
Iconic subject — Umm Kulthum’s life resonates across the Arab world.
A star lead in Mona Zaki and a constellation of top Egyptian actors.
High production values, music-driven sequences, and historical scope.
Where to watch & booking
The film is scheduled to open in cinemas in 10 December 2025. For local showtimes and ticket booking, check Renaissance Cinemas (سينمات رينسانس مصر) .
Final note
Expect a spectacle that combines national memory, music heritage and star-powered drama — El Sett is among the most anticipated Arab releases of the season.
Watch El Sett at Renaissance Cinemas from Dec 10 — book your tickets now for a cinematic journey through the music and life of Umm Kulthum.
Genre: Biopic · Musical Drama · Historical
Director: Marwan Hamed · Writer: Ahmed Mourad ·
Cast: Mona Zaki, Karim Abdel Aziz, Ahmed Helmy, Nelly Karim, Amina Khalil, Mohamed Farag, Amr Saad, Ahmed Khaled Saleh, Sayed Ragab.
Short overview
El Sett is a high-profile cinematic biography of Umm Kulthum — the “Star of the East” — featuring Mona Zaki in the title role. The film follows her journey from a small village to international stardom across seven decades, highlighting artistic triumphs, political engagements, and personal hardships. The production uses international makeup and sound teams and modern technologies to recreate multiple life stages.
Plot summary
The film traces Umm Kulthum’s early talent, her move to Cairo, the struggle to be heard, the breakthrough performances, and her role as a cultural icon who often stood with the people and state in key historical moments. It also addresses medical challenges she faced and personal sacrifices behind the public persona. El Sett aims to balance spectacle — grand concerts and period recreations — with intimate, human scenes.
Cast & Key performances
Mona Zaki embodies Umm Kulthum in multiple phases of life — an intense dramatic turn that anchors the film.
Ahmed Helmy appears in a police/authority role in the promo; Karim Abdel Aziz and Nelly Karim occupy pivotal supporting roles. Several prominent Egyptian stars appear in guest roles, creating a large ensemble.
Directorial approach & production notes
Directed by Marwan Hamed and scripted by Ahmed Mourad, the film enlisted global teams for makeup and sound to accurately age the lead and reproduce historical performances. Scenes were shot from mid-2024 onward; the production has positioned the film for festival premieres (Marrakech, Rotterdam spotlight) before its theatrical rollout.
Festival screenings & release plan
El Sett received festival attention (Marrakech Intl. Film Festival; European festival spotlight/Rotterdam) and is slated for a wide theatrical release in early December 2025 — with reported Egyptian release on 10 December 2025 and regional runs following.
Why watch?
Iconic subject — Umm Kulthum’s life resonates across the Arab world.
A star lead in Mona Zaki and a constellation of top Egyptian actors.
High production values, music-driven sequences, and historical scope.
Where to watch & booking
The film is scheduled to open in cinemas in 10 December 2025. For local showtimes and ticket booking, check Renaissance Cinemas (سينمات رينسانس مصر) .
Final note
Expect a spectacle that combines national memory, music heritage and star-powered drama — El Sett is among the most anticipated Arab releases of the season.
Watch El Sett at Renaissance Cinemas from Dec 10 — book your tickets now for a cinematic journey through the music and life of Umm Kulthum.
Frequently Asked Questions
The film is scheduled for theatrical release in Egypt on 10 December 2025; festival screenings (Marrakech/Rotterdam spotlight) occurred earlier.
Mona Zaki stars as Umm Kulthum, portraying the singer across multiple life stages.
El Sett is directed by Marwan Hamed and written by Ahmed Mourad.
The ensemble includes Karim Abdel Aziz, Ahmed Helmy, Nelly Karim, Amina Khalil, Mohamed Farag, Amr Saad and others (guest appearances by major stars).
Yes — the film explores both her artistic career and public role in political and social moments, as well as personal challenges and health struggles.
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