When A Woman Sings

At a glance

When A Woman Sings, is a 2004 Egyptian movie, directed by Mustapha Hasnaoui. with a runtime of 53 minutes.

Overview

When A Woman Sings is a documentary exploring the deep entanglement between Egyptian music and the region's social and political upheavals. The film centres on two towering figures: Umm Kulthum, whose voice became synonymous with Arab collective identity, and Munira al-Mahdiyya, the trailblazing theatrical singer who opened doors for generations of female artists. Through archival material and historical context, the film examines how these women weaponised song in the struggle for women's liberation and shaped the cultural consciousness of the Arab world. A vital record of how art and activism intersect, the film is essential viewing for anyone interested in Arabic music history, Egyptian cinema, and the role of women in the Arab cultural renaissance.

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