{"product_id":"unknown-past-layla-murad-the-jewishmuslim-star-of-egypt-9781503629776","title":"Unknown Past: Layla Murad, the Jewish-Muslim Star of Egypt","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eLayla Murad (1918-1995) was a legendary Egyptian cinema star, known for her veneration and rumors, and the gendered questions that unsettled Egyptian society. Her life and career are explored in Hanan Hammad's book Unknown Past, which examines the rapid political and sociocultural changes she witnessed. Murad's career blossomed under the Egyptian monarchy and later gave a singing voice to the Free Officers and the 1952 Revolution. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 328 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 10 May 2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Stanford University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLayla Murad, the Cinderella of Egyptian cinema, captivated the hearts of audiences with her unparalleled career and the rumors that surrounded her. Born in 1918, she became the highest-paid star in Egypt, starring in 28 films that became classics in Arab musical cinema. However, her journey was not without challenges. In 1955, she was forced to stop acting, and it took her decades to make a comeback. Even today, decades after her death, public interest in her life remains strong, and new generations of Egyptians continue to love her work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHanan Hammad's book, Unknown Past, delves into the extraordinary life of Layla Murad, weaving a narrative centered around her persona and legacy. The book is broadly framed around a gendered history of twentieth-century Egypt, exploring how Murad's life intersected with the political and sociocultural changes of the time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMurad's journey began as a Jew who converted to Islam during the first Arab-Israeli war. Her career flourished under the Egyptian monarchy, and she became a singing voice for the Free Officers and the 1952 Revolution. However, her cinematic career came to an abrupt end under Nasser on the eve of the 1956 Suez War.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEgyptians have long used interpretations of Murad's life to tell their national story, intertwining the individual and the Egyptian state and society to better understand Egyptian identity. As Unknown Past recounts, Murad's life offers a unique reflection of the tumultuous changes experienced during the dramatic decades of the mid-twentieth century.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLayla Murad's legacy continues to inspire and influence Egyptian culture, reminding us of the power of storytelling and the enduring impact of individuals on society. Her life story continues to captivate audiences, and her impact on Egyptian cinema and society will be remembered for generations to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 504g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 152 x 227 x 22 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781503629776\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hanan Hammad","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":44095646892282,"sku":"9781503629776","price":18.78,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1652445192587_book.jpg?v=1652619091","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/unknown-past-layla-murad-the-jewishmuslim-star-of-egypt-9781503629776","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}