Choufli Hal (Tunisian Arabic: شوفلي حل ; literally: Find Me a Solution) is a Tunisian television sitcom created by Hatem Bel Hadj and directed by Slaheddine Essid. It aired for six seasons from 4 October 2005, to 6 September 2009, on Tunisie 7 during the month of Ramadan. The series consists of 135 episodes, each with a running time of approximately 40 minutes, and is performed in Tunisian Arabic..
The series was subsequently rebroadcast on El Watania 1 and, regarding the first season, on Al Janoubiya TV and El Watania 2.
Synopsis The show is centered on the interactions between a psychotherapist and a fortune teller, providing a comedic lens through which common social issues are explored, including adolescence, unemployment, counterfeit goods, and the housing crisis affecting young Tunisians.
The narrative follows the life of Dr. Slimane, a psychotherapist frequently exasperated by the persistent blunders of his younger brother, Sboui, as well as the daily challenges of living with his wife, two daughters, and mother.
Fadhila, Dr. Slimane's mother, resides with him and frequently intervenes to protect her other son, Sboui, from Dr. Slimane's frustration following Sboui's frequent blunders. Sboui initially works as a secretary and later as a courier in Dr. Slimane's office. Fadhila was married twice: first to Hattab, Dr. Slimane's father, and later to Omrane, Sboui's father. She is characterized by her constant bickering with Dr. Slimane's wife, Zeineb, while maintaining a close, maternal bond with Azza, Sboui's fiancée and eventual wife, in whom she sees a younger version of herself.
Azza is the adopted daughter of Janet, a fortune teller who later becomes a cashier at a beauty center. Janet, portrayed as miserly and protective of her wealth, is the owner of the apartment building where both Dr. Slimane's family live. Sboui and Azza eventually have twins: a son named Omrane and a daughter named Sabra.
Zeineb, Dr. Slimane's wife, is depicted as an aspiring woman who successively manages her own business, a beauty center, and eventually a pastry shop. A recurring theme in her character arc is her persistent jealousy toward both Azza and Dalenda (commonly known as Daddou), who serves as Dr. Slimane's secretary beginning in the third episode of the second season. Throughout the series, Dalenda's personal life is a plot point, specifically her romantic involvements with the characters Chekib and Wassim.
Dr. Slimane and Zeineb have two daughters: Amani, the eldest, who is characterized as mischievous and short-tempered. Her character arc often involves her dating despite her father's conservative restrictions. The younger daughter, Fatma, is similarly depicted as clever and disobedient, frequently mirroring her sister's rebellious behavior.
Later in the series, following Fadhila's decision to enroll in an adult education program, Slimane hires a housekeeper named Kalthoum. Characterized by her intense curiosity, Kalthoum frequently speaks of her husband, Daoued, whom she treats with extreme reverence, addressing him as "Sidi" (Master) Daoued. Despite her devotion, it is revealed that Daoued compels her to work specifically to fund his chkobba (a traditional Tunisian card game) gambling habits.
Douja, Zeineb's mother, is a recurring character who frequently visits her daughter; she is portrayed as a wealthy, modern woman preoccupied with maintaining a youthful appearance. For a period, she is romantically involved with a character named Houssi. Additionally, Zeineb reunites with her childhood friend Feïka (Foufa), who is married to a prosperous businessman, Taïeb.
The primary setting for the series' early seasons is an apartment building inhabited by various eccentric neighbors. Among them is Béji Matrix, an electronics repairman who frequently manipulates Sboui for his own amusement. Highly inquisitive, Béji often pries into the private affairs of Dr. Slimane and Sboui's family; consequently, his neighbors avoid him, believing he brings misfortune. Farid (nicknamed Fouchika), a childhood friend of the brothers, initially serves as Béji's apprentice. Following his dismissal by Béji, the building's owner, Janet, appoints him as the concierge. Despite their frequent friction, Farid is depicted as being as shrewd and cunning as his former employer.
Cast CastRolePlayed bySaisonRegularrecurringDr. Slimane LabiedhPsychotherapist and professor who initially resides in the same apartment building as his office. Later in the series, he and his family relocate to a villa in the « Ennasr City » in Tunis.Kamel Touati1 to 6Fadhila LabiedhDr. Slimane's mother, who is a widow. She was married twice: first to Hattab Labiedh, Dr. Slimane's father, and later to Omrane, Sboui's father.Mouna Noureddine1 to 6SbouiDr. Slimane's half-brother and Fadhila's younger son. Within the series' professional setting, he initially serves as a secretary in Slimane's office before transitioning to the role of a courier.Sofiène Chaâri1 to 6Zeineb LabiedhDr. Slimane's wife. Throughout the series, successively owns and operates a beauty center, and eventually a pastry shop.Jamila Chihi1 to 6JanetFortune teller and the owner of the building where Dr. Slimane and his family reside. She has never been married but Azza is her adopted daughter.Amel Baccouche1 to 6AzzaSboui's wife and the adopted daughter of Janet, whom she also serves as an assistant.Kaouther Belhaj1 to 6Amani LabiedhThe eldest daughter of Dr. Slimane and Zeineb. Yosra Manaï1 to 6Fatma LabiedhThe younger daughter of Dr. Slimane and Zeineb.Oumayma Ben Hafsia1 to 6DoujaZeineb's mother, a widow who married three times, notably to Mondher, Zeineb's father.Khadija Souissi1 to 6Béji MatrixElectronic device repairer in the building, friend of Sboui and Slimane.Tawfik Bahri1 to 6Dalenda (known as Daddou)Secretary of Slimane, colleague and friend of Sboui, she is engaged.Asma Ben Othman2 to 6Farid (known as Fouchika)Employee at Béji's electronics workshop, then Janet's building concierge, childhood friend of Sboui.Fayçal Bezzine3 to 6KalthoumLabiedh family's housekeeper.Naïma El Jeni4 to 6Feïka (known as Foufa)Zeineb's best friend.Rim Zribi3 to 5TaïebHusband of Foufa and friend of Slimane, he is a businessman.Ali Bennour4 to 6Houssine (known as Houssi)Boyfriend of Douja.Slim Mahfoudh1 to 6Dr. Ben AmorA former professor and friend of Slimane, a psychotherapist, and president of the « Freud Fans Club ».Lotfi Dziri2 to 3ChekibFirst fiancé of Dalenda.Mohamed Hached2 to 6WassimVeterinarian in the Middle East, Dalenda's second fiancé, and Béji's nephew.Mohamed Ali Ben Jemaa1 to 6Mohamed Ali (known as Midou)A patient of Dr. Slimane, then an employee at Zeineb's beauty center.Lotfi Abdelli54Mariem (known as Mimi)Esthetician at Zeineb's beauty center.Saoussen Maalej5SadekDr. Slimane's retired neighbor in the same building.Belhassen Khedher1 to 6DaouedKalthoum's husband and unemployed.Mongi Ben Hafsia4 and 6OmraneJanet's former fiancé, residing in France.Ali Khemiri5HamzaAmani's classmate and friend during their baccalaureate studies.Mohamed Kamoun4 to 5HanenDr. Slimane's patient, suffering from problems following her divorce, then married to an Italian businessman.Sonia Ben Belgacem1 to 5KhaoulaNew neighbor of the Labiedh family in the Ennasr City, a housewife and wife of a notary.Leila Chebbi5 to 6SoniaUniversity student and new resident of the building.Rabeb Mejri5 to 6SofiaUniversity student and new resident of the building.Bochra Soltani5 to 6ChabrouchGangster in the neighborhood where the building is located.Fathi Miled3 to 6FekerZeineb's cousin and former fiancé, a CEO in Canada, is engaged to a Guatemalan woman named Monica.Zouhair Erraies4 to 5JaghaliBurglar and childhood friend of Béji.Chedly Arfaoui4 to 5Si ZahiDr. Slimane's recurring patient suffers from several problems.Farhat Hnana1 to 5FadhelFadhila's teacher at the adult education school.Moncef Loukil4 and 6
TV Broadcast
SeasonBroadcast of the first episodeBroadcast of the last episodeNumber of episodes14 October 20018 October 2005152.1 March 200619 April 200615324 September 200624 October 200630413 September 200713 October 20073051 September 20081 October 200830622 August 20096 September 200915
Series overview
Season 1 (2005) The first season follows Dr. Slimane, a middle-class psychotherapist who is forced to share his waiting room with a fortune teller. This neighbor is none other than Janet, the owner of the apartment building where he both lives and works. Even within his own home, Dr. Slimane must navigate constant family squabbles. The household is defined by the ongoing friction between his traditional mother, Fadhila, and his modern wife, Zeineb, alongside the typical sibling rivalry between his eldest daughter, Amani, and his youngest, Fatma.
Fadhila is a loving mother who shows a clear preference for her younger son, Sboui, Dr. Slimane's half-brother. She pressures Dr. Slimane into hiring his youger brother as his secretary, though the latter's incompetence leads to constant blunders in the office. Throughout the season, Sboui is enamored with Azza, Janet's adopted daughter; he spends the entire series attempting to confess his feelings, finally succeeding in the season finale.
Season 2 (Spring 2006) Following persistent conflicts with his brother, Sboui resigns from his job at his brother's office and finds himself unemployed. He is replaced by a professional secretary, Dalenda, though Slimane eventually agrees to re-hire him in the lower-ranking role of a courier. On the professional front, Slimane reconnects with his former mentor, Professor Ben Amor, and joins a psychotherapy association. The season concludes with the major revelation that Sboui has officially proposed to Azza.
Season 3 (Autumn 2006) In this season, Azza and Sboui repeatedly postpone their engagement due to Sboui's continuous blunders, which strain their relationship. The cast expands with the arrival of Fouchika (Farid), a childhood friend of the Labiedh brothers, who moves to Tunis. Fouchika begins cohabiting with Sboui while working as an assistant to Béji Matrix.
Meanwhile, Zeineb enthusiastically reconnects with her childhood friend, Foufa, a relationship that causes significant friction and anger for Dr. Slimane. The season's narrative arc culminates during the month of Ramadan, specifically highlighting the long-awaited official engagement of Sboui and Azza.
Season 4 (2007) The season begins with Sboui returning from his honeymoon in Tabarka, shortly before discovering that his wife, Azza, is pregnant. Meanwhile, Dr. Slimane decides to build a new house in the Ennasr neighborhood. To finance the construction, he convinces Sboui to sell a plot of land inherited from his father. Sboui agrees to provide the necessary funds on the condition that he and his growing family move into the new villa with Slimane. On the domestic front, Amani prepares for her Baccalaureate (high school graduation) exams while attempting to win the affection of the top student in her class, Hamza. Simultaneously, Dalenda faces romantic turmoil when she discovers that Chekib is seeing another woman. In a sub-plot highlighting social development, Fadhila decides to empower herself by enrolling in an adult literacy program.
Season 5 (2008) The season opens with the long-awaited relocation of Slimane, his wife Zeineb, and their daughters to the upscale Ennasr district. This move creates a physical and social divide within the family; while Slimane moves to the suburbs, Sboui and his wife Azza remain in the original apartment, continuing to share the space with Janet and Fadhila.