"Mona Zaki: “The film ‘Al-Sitt’ is a huge responsibility"Mona Zaki: “The most challenging project I have ever worked on

Egyptian actress Mona Zaki commented on the controversy surrounding her new film Al-Sitt, in which she portrays the legendary singer Umm Kulthum, following criticism that accompanied the release of the official promo.

Zaki’s remarks came during the special screening panel at the Marrakech Film Festival, where she revealed details about accepting the role and the challenges she faced in this ambitious project.

A Huge Responsibility

Mona Zaki expressed deep appreciation for the weight of responsibility in portraying a figure of Umm Kulthum’s stature, emphasizing that the challenge was unprecedented in her artistic career. She said: "Honestly, this is the most challenging project I have ever worked on… the character herself is a legend, and her responsibility is immense. This is the hardest thing I have faced in my life. Without the presence of Mr. Marwan Hamed, I wouldn’t have had the courage to take on the role."

A New Perspective

She added that the screenplay offered a fresh, humanizing perspective on Umm Kulthum’s life: "The script was different… it highlights a human side that I believe many people don’t know about the great lady Umm Kulthum." Zaki also noted that fear accompanied her from the very first moment, explaining that portraying such an iconic figure requires respect for the art, the audience, and the historical legacy.

“What’s the reason for the backlash?”

Responding to criticism of the film’s promo, she said: "Honestly, I don’t know… I can’t say what the reason for the backlash is, but all I can do is respect every opinion." She added that criticism is a natural part of presenting a work that deals with a character who holds a special emotional connection with the audience.

Words from Writer Ahmed Mourad

Writer Ahmed Mourad shared his perspective on the challenges he faced while writing the screenplay, confirming the difficulty of handling Umm Kulthum’s legacy: "The most difficult task I have ever faced in my life is talking about Umm Kulthum… I always say that making a film about a prophet would have been a bit easier than dealing with the love everyone has for her." He explained that the writing was tailored for Generation Z, aiming to provide a more visual and human-centered narrative for younger audiences, while preserving the grandeur and majesty of Umm Kulthum’s history.

Budget and Mona Zaki’s Performance

During the conference, the film’s massive budget of $8 million was announced, reflecting the effort required to accurately recreate Umm Kulthum’s world both visually and historically.

Director Marwan Hamed praised Mona Zaki’s performance, saying she delivered one of her strongest roles ever: "Her courage, precision, and impact in front of the camera were remarkable… and even more amazing in the editing when I saw the takes. Her ability to express and convey emotion was sometimes just through her eyes." He added that the film is the result of a large collaborative effort, demanding extraordinary commitment from the entire team, especially in presenting a fresh vision of a character as monumental as Umm Kulthum without compromising her value or symbolism.

The Film Al-Sitt

Al-Sitt presents Umm Kulthum’s journey from a human and dramatic perspective, revealing pivotal moments of her life and the impact of her relationships and artistic career on her unique status. The film focuses on the woman behind the legend and the complex human experience that shaped one of the most important icons of Arab art.

The film is written by Ahmed Mourad and directed by Marwan Hamed. It stars Mona Zaki alongside Mohamed Farag, Ahmed Khaled Saleh, Tamer Nabil, and Sayed Ragab, with a cast of guest stars including Karim Abdel Aziz, Ahmed Helmy, Amr Saad, Nelly Karim, and Amina Khalil.