Syrian actress Sulaf Fawakherji has opened up about an important aspect of her humanitarian interests, explaining that issues concerning people with disabilities have been part of her life for years, particularly during her time living in Syria.
She said she made an effort to learn more closely about the experiences of people from different groups, including blind and deaf people and individuals with autism. This personal interest later influenced some of her artistic choices.
Sulaf Fawakherji's Interest in Disability Issues
Sulaf Fawakherji explained that her interest in people with disabilities was not limited to her personal life but also became part of her artistic work.
Through several projects, she addressed issues involving people with disabilities, with particular attention to the role of families in providing support and helping individuals develop confidence in themselves.
She also highlighted issues such as bullying and the importance of promoting acceptance of differences, presenting diverse human experiences beyond stereotypical portrayals.
Sulaf Fawakherji as a Blind Character in Chicago Street
Fawakherji discussed her experience portraying a blind woman in the series Chicago Street, describing the preparation for the role as challenging.
The Syrian actress worked to understand the daily experiences of blind people in a realistic way rather than relying on conventional portrayals sometimes seen in fictional productions.
Spending Time With Blind People
Fawakherji spent time at an organization specializing in supporting blind people, where she met several individuals and spoke with them about their daily lives.
Through the experience, she learned more about how blind people perceive their surroundings and use their different senses to navigate and interact with their environment.
She also noted that the experience showed her how different blind people can be from one another, with each person having their own way of moving, interacting, and expressing themselves.
These observations helped her create a more realistic character instead of relying on a fixed or stereotypical performance.
A Documentary Inspired Sulaf Fawakherji's Performance
Fawakherji also drew inspiration from details she noticed in a documentary about a blind Jordanian man.
She was particularly struck by his use of a mirror before leaving his home and decided to incorporate the idea into her character in Chicago Street.
The actress said she wanted to highlight everyday human details that viewers might not normally notice.
Her preparation relied on research, observation, and direct interaction. She compared her approach to that of a journalist gathering information before producing a documentary.
Fawakherji described the experience as an important human and artistic lesson that had a lasting impact on her.
Sulaf Fawakherji Learned Sign Language for Angels' Land
In another artistic experience, Sulaf Fawakherji discussed her participation in the film Angels' Land, in which she appeared alongside a deaf child.
She learned sign language to make communication easier during filming and to better understand the child's needs.
Fawakherji explained that the experience went beyond preparing for an acting role. It gave her an opportunity to discover a different world, while communicating directly with the child and learning sign language added significantly to her experience on both personal and professional levels.
What humanitarian issues does Sulaf Fawakherji care about?
Sulaf Fawakherji has expressed interest in issues involving people with disabilities, including blind and deaf people and individuals with autism.
What character did Sulaf Fawakherji play in Chicago Street?
She portrayed a blind woman in the series Chicago Street.
How did Sulaf Fawakherji prepare for the blind character?
She relied on research, observation, and direct interaction, including spending time with blind people at a specialized organization.
Why did Sulaf Fawakherji learn sign language?
She learned sign language while working on Angels' Land to communicate more easily with a deaf child who appeared alongside her.
What did these experiences add to Sulaf Fawakherji?
She said the experiences enriched her on both human and professional levels and helped her portray characters in a more realistic way.
