Sou’oud –
Mahraganat From Street to Stage by Islam Elarabi
A documentary by Nataliya Nikolska, 17 min / 2025
In “صعود” (Ascent), dancer and choreographer Islam Elarabi takes us on a personal journey of rediscovery — reclaiming Mahraganat, a dance and music culture often dismissed as “unartistic.” Initially drawn to contemporary dance for its institutional validation after facing dismissal for dancing Mahraganat, the artist questions what counts as “art” and who gets to decide it.
Director, Editor, Cinematographer: Nataliya Nikolska
Title Design: Aya Bendary
Original Music: Walad
