Israel & Mohamed
Fatherhood and art in uplifting cross-cultural dialogue.
French theatre-maker Mohamed El Khatib returns to the Bergen International Festival after last year’s The secret life of old people and A beautiful ending. El Khatib is back with a collaboration with Spanish flamenco artist Israel Galván. This co-created work brings together their two journeys, two life stories elegantly woven together in a contemplation of art, life and inheritance.
El Khatib and Galván converse on stage – only this is a conversation where sometimes only dance and movement are needed. Past and present come together as both men enter a conversation with each other and their fathers that is both intimate and political. Drawing on film, dance, music, performance and even a little bit of football, both men navigate their shared history with a profound sense of their heritage. The resulting “documentary dance” is an uplifting dialogue across the Mediterranean, a portrait of two artists exploring the phenomenon of fatherhood with humour, respect and compassion.
“To the right of the stage, the rebellious flamenco virtuoso, Israel Galván, dressed in a long blue djellaba. To the left, the writer-director Mohamed El Khatib, in football shorts and flamenco shoes. With a touch of humor, the two artists present their intertwined portraits, through their relationship with their fathers, two men of the older generation who raised them with a firm hand.” – La Provence
Image at top: Israel Galván and Mohamed El Khatib. Photo: Yohanne Lamoulère
Language
Performed in French, surtitled in English
Contributors
Conceived and performed by Mohamed El Khatib & Israel Galván
Fred Hocké set design, artistic collaboration
Pedro León sound
Pedro León, Fred Hocké technical direction
Zacharie Dutertre, Emmanuel Manzano video
Micol Notarianni costumes
Talk about Israel & Mohamed
Sunday 31 May at approx. 19:45–20.15 in the Peer Gynt foyer, Grieghallen
Meet Israel Galván and Mohamed El Khatib in a conversation with Professor Maria Delgado, who is a critic and academic specialised in theatre. Galván and El Khatib have both conceived and perform in Israel & Mohamed, and in this conversation, audiences can get to know more about their collaboration and learn more about the artists.
Entrance: Included in the ticket for the performance Sunday 31 May. Get a free ticket for the talk here if you don't have a same day ticket for the performance.
Language: The talk will be held in Spanish and interpreted to English
The conversation is part of the Festival’s debate programme Ordskifte.
