TRT, described it as “the story of Mitra, an Iranian-born director living in exile, who dreams of making a film dedicated to legendary Egyptian singer Oum Kulthum.”[4][5] TRT also stated that “Shirin Neshat has brought the diva’s story to the screen, with personal touches.”[6] Enterprise stated “Looking for Oum Kulthum is about “the power of art to move a people.

According to Vogue Arabi, “While most of the clothes were custom-made in Tufano’s Casablanca workshops, there were hordes of extras who needed ensembles too.

The costume designer and his staff collected their images of old Egypt, and traversed around London, Rome, and Marrakech for shoes, accessories, and jewelry.

These included the frontal and the striking images that attempt to capture the mythical nature of this famous Egyptian diva.

[16] It was screened at the Hammer Museum of Otis College of Art and Design under the summer residency series.

[17] As much as the film was featured in many event and festivals, it attracted criticisms which included multiple inaccuracies which stated that the Director Neshat wrote from her own perception instead of from the real Oum Kulthum’s life.