In Avignon, “Israel & Mohamed”, a mischievous duo of iconoclasts

The opportunity was too good to miss. Bringing together flamenco dancer and choreographer Israel Galvan and writer and director Mohamed El Khatib promised a shocking title, a symbol of living together—and a somewhat misleading title, since Israel Galvan isn't Jewish, but comes from an Andalusian family belonging to Jehovah's Witnesses. How would the two friends manage that and make a pair? One could have feared the worst, a circumstantial spectacle, but after a few minutes of warming up by those who dreamed of becoming footballers, the question was answered positively. Israel and Mohamed are a good match and offered a nice surprise at the premiere at the Carmes cloister on July 10.

On the left, then, Mohamed, in a flashy yellow T-shirt printed with "Morocco." On the right, Israel, in a sky-blue djellaba, kindly lent by Mohamed's father. Each has set up their own little universe, gathered in a few objects on a wooden table topped with a portrait of their father, in a sort of altar. For this duo, both light and serious, examines the relationship with fathers, two ogre fathers as overwhelming as they are touching. Present on video on the set, they frankly recount their complex relationship with their sons, who have carved out their path to emancipation without denying their origins.

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