Sabra Aouni: “Al Matba’a Is an Important Work in Tunisian Drama”
Tunisian actress Sabra Aouni is currently experiencing a wave of happiness following the success of the Tunisian series “Al Matba’a”, which has won several awards in Tunisian polls and received nominations in a number of Arab audience surveys.
Tell us about your role in Al Matba’a
I play the character Leila, an officer in the economic police, the unit specialized in financial crimes and money counterfeiting. She is the friend of Amal, who is investigating a case involving the forgery of Tunisian banknotes.
Leila is a young woman who is very fond of dating apps such as Bumble and Tinder. She has a cheerful personality and loves going out and having fun with her close friend Amal, played by Tunisian actress Yasmine Dimasci.
Throughout the series, Leila also supports Amal in tracking down criminals, and their strong friendship is an important part of the story.
What were the most important elements you considered while portraying the character?
I wanted to bring a sense of lightness and humor to the Tunisian audience because Al Matba’a is a relatively heavy drama. Most of the characters carry deep concerns and inner conflicts. I tried to be a source of comic relief while still remaining fully integrated with the story and performing the role with spontaneity.
What was your opinion about the series starting its broadcast on the 11th day of Ramadan?
I was honestly worried about the timing because by the 11th day of Ramadan many viewers may have already chosen the shows they want to follow, and people also start preparing for Eid. But I had great confidence in the project and believed the series would defend itself and find its audience.
How do you see the audience reactions to Al Matba’a?
The reactions have been truly wonderful. What impressed me most is that viewers began analyzing every scene and every episode. This created a strong sense of engagement and dynamism among the audience.
Who was the first person to congratulate you on the success of the series?
The first actress who called me was theater professor and actress Meryem Ben Hassen. Her words meant a lot to me. She told me: “Well done, Sabra. You are convincing and spontaneous. It is time for you to move into theater.”
I honestly did not expect such success for my role. Even though the screen time was not very large, many people told me that my spontaneity was what attracted them to the character.
