Wedad' Film Still

Set and still from Wedad (1936), Studio Misr’s first feature-length production.

Um Kulthum’s cinematic debut was Studio Misr’s answer to the lavish and entertaining Hollywood spectacles that were dominating the market and dazzling the Egyptian audience at the time. The choice of leading actress capitalized on both Um Kulthum’s fame and her status as a respected nationalist symbol, further emphasizing that the Egyptians had finally arrived in the world of filmmaking. Wedad’s script was written by celebrated poet Ahmed Rami and directed by Fritz Kramp and his assistant Ahmed Badrakhan. It was immensely successful and was the first Egyptian film to be screened at the 1936 Venice International Film Festival, helping cement Studio Misr’s position in the industry.

For more, see Kamal Ramzy's article 'The Dream Factory' from Rawi magazine's Issue 9 available online (link in details).