Sulaf’s Old Jasmine

Syrian TV drama has achieved remarkable success at the Arab arena during the past two decades. One of the main factors that contributed to the Syrian drama thrive was the appearance of skilful and professional actors and actresses who have been able to play their roles successfully and competently.

Distinguished actress Sulaf Fawakherji was among the great figures who greatly contributed to the current boom of Syrian TV drama and the strong presence at the Arab arena.

In the current drama season, Sulaf played distinguished roles in “Old Jasmine” and “It Happened in Damascus”.

In “Yasmine Atik,” (Old Jasmine), she appeared as Safia al-Alousi, an influential woman in Damascus and well respected among the elite society. She calls for women’s education to play their role in society efficiently side by side with men.  Safia is the example to be followed for an open minded and strong woman, who calls for culture and girls’ education, unlike most women characters in traditional series which advocated a backward image of the Arab woman at the beginning of the 20th century. She appeared as a strong and smart businesswoman who fights against illiteracy.

Directed by al-Muthana Sobeh, the cast of the series includes many stars such as Mona Wassef, Ghassan Masoud, Salma al-Masri, Salim Sabri, Jihad Sa’ad, and Mohamed.

In the second series, “It Happened in Damascus” by director Bassel al-Khatib, she appeared as a Damascene woman who supports the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights to live peacefully in their homeland.

The new roles are considered an important step in the career of Sulaf who always seeks distinction and excellence.

Earlier, she starred in “Asmahan” in which she presented the biography of the great Syrian songstress Asmahan in an excellent and authentic way.

She also appeared in some panels of Spot Light showing her ability to play diverse roles skilfully highlighting important social, political and economic concerns of citizens in a comic mould.

Among Sulaf’s distinguished roles was in “Blue Lanterns” where she played a nationalistic girl affected by the French colonialism of her country at the beginning of the 20th century. She falls in love, but her love to her homeland affects the relationship.

Sulaf was born in 1977 in the city of Lattakia. She studied Art and Sculpture at Adham Ismail Fine Arts. But acting was the main domain she loved, so she started in theatre, making her debut on stage in plays such as  Al Sawt (The Voice) and Hekayat al Shetaa (Winter’s Tales), before moving to TV drama and cinema.

With every new role, Sulaf proves that she is an actress with a difference because her art is completely committed to the concerns of her people.

K.Q.