Amid the controversy sparked by Timothee Chalamet’s not-doing-so-hot take on ballet and opera, the entire internet pitched in their two cents to the Marty Supreme actor. Well, at least parasocially through comment sections and opinion articles and memes galore – we think that covers about all, right? Anyways, Cosmo thinks that should be up to you to decide – here’s how these disputably “dying art forms” present here:
Aydah (1942)
Starring the legendary Umm Kulthum, this nostalgic work, inspired by Giuseppe Verdi’s famous opera, follows the life of a village girl named Aida who’s raised by the son of their well-off landlord after the passing of her father. We embark on a journey riddled with enchanting romance, social commentary, and musical performance worth remembering. With the powerhouse’s iconic sound, how can we not?
Keeping to Egyptian talent, brace yourself for triple threat Nelly Karim. Given that the half-Russian actress was professionally trained in ballet throughout her childhood, it comes as no surprise that it bled into how she showed up on Arab screens in the years to come.
Alexandria … New York (2004)
When you think of angst, tension, regret … think of this. Meet Yehia, a director who decides to leave Egypt’s bustling streets, having packed his bags for the Big Apple, only to run into his past lover, a ballerina named Ginger, upon his arrival. The drama flirts with the ever-changing vision of the American dream while navigating the baggage of a past love. Talk about bringing all the feels.
Enta Omry (2004)
Karim strikes again in this dramatic romance. Taking on another ballet role, only this time, the stakes are different. When Youssef, a married man with a son, finds out about his cancer diagnosis, he takes a work trip out of Egypt to avoid his family’s suffering. There, he meets a girl who faces the same fate, but she is determined to make it out alive. What happens when her infectious drive captures his mind, and then his heart? Who has the right to life and love? Yeah, definitely adding to our list.
Le A’la Se’r (2017)
Rounding off her ballet run, star performer Gamila, played by none other than Nelly Karim, grapples with giving up everything for the man she loves. However, Hisham, played by fan favourite Ahmed Fahmi, is a cosmetic surgeon, not of her wealth or class. Will the pair defy all odds in spite of everything betting against them? Guess you’ll have to watch to find out!
Zarqa Al Yamama (2024)
A novelty of its kind, Saudi Arabia has brought together Arabic-speaking, Western sopranos to perform live in a first for the nation. The full libretto tells the story of a woman with extraordinary vision who would warn her tribe of approaching enemies. She was said to have striking blue eyes, she’d always wear kohl, and following an attack on her camp where her eyes were ripped out, she had clumps of said kohl in her sockets. Fab!
Petra (2024)
Meet Petra, a grassroots operatic fantasy about Jordan’s rich cultural heritage. Classically-trained soprano Zeina Barhoum collaborated with AI visualizer Seunjsik Shin to pair the anthem screened at the Jordan Museum with a generated film telling the historical tales of Wadi Musa and its ancient people. Check it out on YouTube!
Antar & Abla (2025)
This opera is a favourite of Cosmo’s! It takes on the iconic tale of Antar and Abla, two forbidden lovers in ancient Arabia. Having been born to an enslaved mother, Antar trains tirelessly to prove his worth as a fighter to the tribe and succeeds, only maintaining some stature is a constant battle. He falls for his cousin, a noble girl, throughout their childhood, and together, their love defies tribal stipulations and tradition. Actually a really cool watch.
The Dancer (2026)
Prepare for the story of Ahmad Joudeh to steal your heart as it did ours. A Syrian danseur who had to flee once war broke out across the nation, Joudeh reclaims his story one piece at a time. From defying stereotypes as a male ballet dancer in the Arab world to taking a refugee experience head-on, we know we can’t wait for this to drop.
With people like Farrah Eldibany, the first Egyptian to join the Paris Opera Academy, and Rihab Chaieb, a Tunisian-Canadian who’s performed with the Metropolitan Opera among countless establishments, it becomes hard not to see a future in sight.
With people like Dima Bakri, the first Palestinian mezzo-soprano to break ceilings, and Marie-Joe Abi-Nassif Salam, a Lebanese lawyer turned opera singer, with trailblazers like Halaa Nagadi, a Saudi ballerina who rose to stardom at 18, and Alia Al Neyadi, the UAE’s first ballerina.
It is these faces and names that are reviving the arts, one lifeline performance at a time.
Check out these letters Dubai ENGENEs wrote to Heeseung!