The Third Circuit of the Administrative Court rejected a lawsuit filed by several heirs of legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum seeking to revoke the license of the film “Al-Set” and halt its screening.
The plaintiffs argued that the film harmed Umm Kulthum’s legacy and affected the reputation of her family. The court also ordered the plaintiffs to pay legal expenses and attorney fees.
Court Reviews the Content of “Al-Set”
The ruling was issued under the leadership of Counselor Dr. Fathy Mohamed Sayed Helal, Vice President of the State Council and head of the court, with Counselors Noah Mohamed Abu Hussein and Ahmed Galal Zaki Abdullah, both Vice Presidents of the State Council.
After watching the entire film, the court stated that the claims concerning alleged harm to Umm Kulthum and her reputation were not supported by what it found in the film.
How the Court Viewed the Film
The court noted that “Al-Set” portrays different stages of Umm Kulthum’s life, beginning with her upbringing in the village of Tamay Al-Zahaira and continuing through the challenges she faced at the beginning of her artistic career.
The story also follows her rise to prominence in Egypt and the Arab world, up to her death in Cairo.
The court further noted that the film addressed Umm Kulthum’s role in serving her country, as well as her relationship with her father and brother.
According to the court, the overall portrayal of Umm Kulthum and her family was positive, while scenes depicting moments of weakness or emotional vulnerability did not, by themselves, constitute an insult to her.
Court: “Al-Set” Is a Drama, Not a Documentary
The court emphasized that “Al-Set” is a dramatic work rather than a documentary. Therefore, it does not have to reproduce every historical detail or dialogue exactly as it occurred.
The court explained that dramatic productions naturally allow room for imagination and artistic creativity, particularly because the filmmakers had described the project from the outset as being “inspired by true events.”
It further stated that such creative expression falls within the scope of artistic freedom protected by the Constitution and that a dramatic production should not be treated as an absolute presentation of historical truth.
Court Rejects Request to Halt “Al-Set”
The Administrative Court concluded that there were no grounds requiring the revocation of the film’s license or the suspension of its screening.
Accordingly, the court rejected the lawsuit filed by Umm Kulthum’s heirs and ordered them to pay the relevant expenses and attorney fees.
What did the Administrative Court decide about “Al-Set”?
The court rejected the lawsuit seeking to revoke the film’s license and halt its screening.
Why did Umm Kulthum’s heirs file the lawsuit?
They sought to stop the film’s screening, arguing that it harmed Umm Kulthum’s legacy and affected her family’s reputation.
How did the court classify “Al-Set”?
The court described it as a dramatic work rather than a documentary, meaning it was not required to reproduce every historical detail exactly.
Did the court find that the film insulted Umm Kulthum?
The court found that the claims of harm to Umm Kulthum’s reputation were not supported by the film’s content and considered its overall portrayal positive.
