Fatima Al Sharif: Fate transformed me from a singer to an actress

Fatima Al-Sharifa was not alone, but rather her presence was a highlight that gave the Saudi actress value. Through our success, she created a striking presence and a special, unconventional place. In a short time, she was able to steal the spotlight with her great performance and brilliant presence.

Fatima has played a variety of roles, conveying profound themes and expressing human emotions in a striking way. In this interview, we get closer to Fatima Al Sharif, to learn about her artistic journey, its challenges, and her vision for the future of drama. So, let's get to the interview:

- First of all, what led Fatima Al Sharif to acting؟

In fact, acting was never one of my goals or ambitions, but fate led me to it through the great artist Laila Salman, who were at that time preparing to film the series “Darb Al Raml”. I knew then that they were looking for an actress to play a short role and who was fluent in the dialect of the Qassim region. At that time, Laila Salman spoke to my friend and told her that they needed an actress who was proficient in this role. After that, my friend took the initiative to nominate me, and from that moment my journey in the world of acting began.

- Was acting an artistic choice and destination from the beginning, or did it come through life’s paths؟

Acting was never an option in my life. I have a master's degree in social work and work as a specialist in a psychiatric clinic at a government hospital. I sometimes participate in product advertisements, but my true passion was singing. I wished to be a singer, but in the end, acting came to replace it, and I didn't pursue it.

- How do you see the features of your artistic journey so far؟

I feel completely satisfied with my artistic career and the progression I've made. I started with short, limited roles, but later came the series "Diary of a Spinster" and presented me in a different light through the lead role. It's impossible to ignore the fact that my talent gave producers and directors confidence in me, which led me to the roles I play today.

- What transformations have affected your awareness as an actress؟

I think it developed naturally. Given my work as a social worker, I frequently participated in programs on channels like MBC to discuss social issues. This gave me confidence in front of the camera and shaped my media personality. I was always keen to deliver valuable messages, and this intersected with purposeful acting messages, which helped me strengthen my presence as an actress.

- In every appearance of yours, we notice a calm and weighty performance. Is this a reflection of your true personality or an artistic style that you decided to pursue؟

Without a doubt, my personality is multi-faceted. I describe myself as a “group person” that includes calmness, fun, and seriousness. However, when acting, I separate all of this from my real personality and the role assigned to me. Rather, I delve into studying the required character. In “Diary of a Spinster,” I played a nice, imaginary character that had no connection to my reality. Likewise, in the series “Al-Sharar,” I embodied the required role.

Which gave me the courage to delve deeper into acting and take on artistic roles. I also aspire for my acting to surpass my current level.

- How do you choose your roles? What do you look for in a script or character before you say "yes"؟

From my first acting role until now, I have not had the opportunity to choose the right role. The roles were nominated by the producer, the director, or the manager. Perhaps in the upcoming works, I may be able to choose the role that I see as suitable for my personality. Everything I have presented was chosen by them, such as “Diary of a Spinster,” and no other actress was nominated.

Which is why I would like to thank Ms. Zainab Abu Al-Samh, CEO of MBC Talent, as she nominated me for the lead role alongside actor Ibrahim Al-Hajjaj.

Saudi drama is experiencing a qualitative leap, and my dream is to star in international cinema.

- Let's pause for a moment to reflect on "The Diary of a Spinster." How did you react to this work when it was offered to you? What attracted you to it؟

I welcomed this offer with open arms and great joy, especially since what was offered to me was considered a leading role, and without a doubt I like the character and its transformations, because I found this character in my daily life.

- The title of the work has a sarcastic dimension, but it opens wide social doors. How did you read its content؟

"Diary of a Spinster" is the title of the novel "Diary of a Spinster Saudi" by Walid Khalil, but its content is realistic and reflects the suffering of some families. Today, there is hardly a home without a spinster in it, and I hope that this series will be a reason for solving the reluctance of young men and women to marry, because when young men or women delay marriage, their choices become difficult.

- Did you find room for criticism or sympathy in "Diary of a Spinster"؟

Without a doubt, I found in it a dual space for criticism and sympathy at the same time. The series sheds light on a realistic issue that affects many families, which is the delay in marriage among young men and women, and the social pressures and complex choices that accompany it. The public interaction was striking, whether in the street or on social media. Some people even started asking me to help them find a life partner, as if the characters had become a part of reality. The work succeeded in reaching people honestly, and the credit for that goes, after God, to the producer, Mr. Jamal Sinan, who is known for his attention to the smallest details, as well as to the creative director, Abdulrahman Al-Salman, who, despite his first experience in Saudi Arabia, presented a mature directorial vision and was able to showcase our energies as actors in the best possible way.

- Are there any moments that stayed with you after filming ended؟

Of course, what stays with me most is the sense of camaraderie and togetherness that exists between the crew. We supported each other and strengthened our presence as a single group. These principles always created a true family atmosphere for us, as we didn't come just to act, but to create a different culture. I think that's one of the things we miss the most after filming ends.

- What made the behind-the-scenes work of "Diary of a Spinster" different from your previous experiences؟

The distinction lay in the beautiful spirit that brought us together with the work team and producer Jamal Sinan, who was meticulously attentive to detail. The direction was led by Abdulrahman Al-Salman, who, despite his recent experience in the Saudi market and his young age, managed the work with great professionalism and a clear artistic vision.

- How did you find the audience's reaction to this work? Did you receive comments or reactions that illuminated an unexpected side of you؟

Thank God, the interaction was broad and positive across all segments of society, but what surprised me most was children's interest in the series! Many of them would stop me in public places and express their admiration for the character I played. This made me feel that the message had reached more than one age group, and that in itself is a great success. The comments were very encouraging, and encouraged me to follow the work from perspectives that were not clear to me as an actress.

-What is your assessment of the Saudi drama reality at this stage؟

Saudi drama is experiencing a true qualitative shift, becoming a strong competitor in the Arab world and clearly dominating trends and interests. Today, viewers anticipate Saudi productions and trust their quality in terms of scripts, direction, and even acting.

- Do you feel that opportunities for Saudi actresses have become broader and more mature؟

Yes, of course. Today, Saudi actresses are under the microscope, and audiences and production companies are offering them more space to showcase their talent. What's even more remarkable is that drama has begun to discover and invest in the diversity of dialects and cultures within the Kingdom. This gives a deeper dimension to productions and creates opportunities for diverse acting.

- What role or project do you dream of playing that you feel will showcase Fatima Al Sharif in a way she's never been seen before؟

For my part, I believe I have a lot to offer, and I haven't yet expressed what's inside me. I dream of starring in a feature film that will be screened internationally and present an exceptional portrait of the Saudi actress, capable of competing in international arenas. I hope to present a role that resonates with people everywhere and presents me in a different and new light.