EGYPT, A LOVE SONG - JEWISH STORY PARTNERS (FREE)

BEST DOCUMENTARY & BEST SCREENPLAY - Terni Film Festival, Italy | OFFICIAL COMPETITION - Jerusalem Film Festival | OFFICIAL COMPETITION - UK Jewish Film Festival | "Lovers of Middle Eastern music and culture are in for a treat in this moving love story" - Jewish Renaissance

Middle Eastern Studies • Jewish/Arab Identity • Cross-Continental Family Saga • The Legacy of Souad Zaki • Cultural Preservation & Transformation • Jewish Studies •  Migration Narratives • Gender Dynamics • Mizrahi/Ashkenazi Identity

Date of Completion: 2022 | Run Time: 74 minutes | Languages: Arabic, Hebrew, English | Captions: Yes | Includes: Study Guide | Director/Writer: Iris Zaki | Producers: Ronen Machlis Balzam, Peter Hutchison, Iris Zaki

Director Iris Zaki embarks on a transgenerational journey with her father, unraveling the intricate tapestry of Jewish/Arab identity and culture by tracing the footsteps of her remarkable grandmother, Souad Zaki. A celebrated Jewish Arabic singer in 1940s Egypt, Souad's story unfolds as she starred alongside Umm Kulthum and gained fame throughout the Arab world. Marrying renowned Muslim musician Mohamed Elakkad, Souad faced abandonment, fleeing to Israel, where she lived a dual life as a cleaning lady and a singer. Through scripted period scenes, rare archival materials, and intimate conversations, the film weaves a tempestuous saga, transcending cultures, religions, and generations. Iris Zaki's unique documentary style explores her family's complex identity, offering a poignant and unfiltered glimpse into their shared history.