MENA: Aïda

In this timeless 1942 Egyptian film, Umm Kulthum, the Arab world's greatest singer, shines in a riveting drama full of music and emotion. 

Aïda, directed by Ahmed Badrakhan, is inspired by Giuseppe Verdi's famous opera Aida and translates the epic love story into Egyptian cinema. The film follows Aïda, a young village girl growing up on the estate of a wealthy landowner. When her father dies, Amin Pasha's family takes her under their wing. But her love for the family's son leads her into a battle between class differences and personal desires.

Besides her impressive acting, Umm Kulthum enchants with her iconic voice, which has inspired generations. Aïda is an extraordinary blend of film and music, an early milestone in Egyptian cinema and an absolute must-see for lovers of classic film and Arabic music.