Presented in the 1996 New York Film Festival, this new documentary on the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum brings together film and television clips, haunting performances, and interviews with people ranging from the author Naguib Mahfouz to a twelve-year-old girl who speak of her incredible singing: "Umm Kulthum is like the pyramids. Today no one can do what she did." From a peasant family, with religious training in reciting the Koran, Kulthum's talent was recognized while she was still a child. She was famous for her diction and her emotional songs of love; poets vied to write for her, and at her height, all of Egypt listened to her monthly concerts which lasted well into the night. Closely associated with President Gamal Abd al-Nasser and his reform of Egypt, she raised millions of dollars for Egypt giving concerts in the Arab-speaking world. One wonderful clip reveals her incredible connection to the audience; we see her laugh with delight as her beautiful voice reaches new heights. As one commentator says, "When she sang, she was never the heroine. People heard their own story in her songs." Narrated by Omar Sharif. (67 mins). Followed by Far from You (Sami Alkassim, Egypt/U.S., 1996, 27 mins), an experimental meditation on Umm Kulthum and the city of Cairo, still haunted by her singing.