AMNE(I)S(T)IA: SAY SORRY

2018

Director (Action Zoo Humain) and researcher (KASK/School of Arts/HoGent) Chokri Ben Chikha was selected by the Institut del Teatre in Barcelona to create a performance with a group of young alumni from the institute. Inspired by Amnes(t)ie, which explores the similarities between Syrian fighters and collaborators, AMNÈ(I)S(T)IA: Say Sorry delves into the parallels between jihadists and supporters of the Franco regime. Léon Degrelle, the central figure of the Belgian fascist movement who was granted asylum in Franco's Spain after the Second World War, forms the link between Belgium's history of collaboration and the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.

A group of young Catalan performers launches its own YouTube channel. In their videos, they address social issues and explore how to come to terms with collective traumas from the past and present. Does the spectre of Franco still haunt Spain? Is political imprisonment once again being tacitly tolerated? The channel becomes a plea for radical empathy and a true ode to the power of imagination.

AMNE(I)S(T)IA: Say Sorry is a project that offers graduate performers from the IT Teatre in Barcelona the opportunity to further professionalise themselves and master the different languages of contemporary theatre.

De Morgen (BE)

What also remains intact is the sharp parody of the way in which a society is prepared to forget its own past, a fact that is more relevant than ever in today's Spain, where some fear the return of fascism.
> Read Review (Dutch)
Theaterkrant (NL)

It is the surface, the Wikipedia level, the interconnection of stories and references, of flags and identities, of pornography and politics, that make AMNÈ(I)S(T)IA quite contemporary. While the performance's schematic structure is reminiscent of a school presentation, the light-hearted way in which a commercial media strategy is linked to trauma treatment is quite apt.
> Read Review (Dutch)
KNACK (BE)

A society only has a future if it is at peace with its past. That is why we challenge our audience to show radical empathy with every aspect of it.
> Read Interview (Dutch)
De Standaard (BE)

In AMNE(I)S(T)IA: Say Sorry, Ben Chikha does not shy away from taboos. Nazi flags appear and the Constitution is smoked. This initially met with mistrust. 'They declared me crazy because I put grotesque characters on stage and use a lot of humour.'
> Read Review (Dutch)
De Morgen (BE)

It often concerns young, frustrated individuals who are searching for meaning because they do not feel accepted. Another important factor is the romanticisation of a glorious past. Franco did this, the Eastern Front soldiers did this, and the jihadists are doing this now.
> Read Interview (Dutch)
Núvol (ES)

“The great power of propaganda is to make others look like monsters,” says Chokri Ben Chikha. The performance has a young cast that conveys the message that all is not yet lost. “They are the future; the memory lies in their hands.”
> Read Review (Spanish)
Radio Onda Cero (ES)

> Listen to the Radio interview (in Catalan)

Director Chokri Ben Chikha
Performers (Alumni It Teatre Barcelona) Jaume Forés Juliana, Eleazar Masdeu García, Tamara Ndong Bielo, Martina Pérez Vilarasau, Júlia Santacana Vall, Elena Santiago García, Joana Maria Sureda Matamalas, Martina Tresserra Pi, Jordi Romero
Choreography Laura Neyskens
Project coordination Ramon Simó, Pepelú Guardiola
Dramaturgy Laura Teresa Batllori Rodrigo, Judit López Torras
Dramaturgical coaching Carles Batlle
Translation Marc Puyol-Hennin (Capiche Surtitle)

Technical alumni ESTAE, Paula Miranda, Oriol Brusi Batllori
Technical production Laura Gutiérrez

Production Institut del Teatre Barcelona
Coproduction Action Zoo Humain, Temporada Alta, CAET, Sala Beckett, KASK/School of Arts/HoGent
Partners NTGent, Theater Rotterdam
With support of Stad Gent, de Vlaamse Overheid

AMNE(I)S(T)IA: SAY SORRY

2018

De Morgen (BE)

Theaterkrant (NL)

KNACK (BE)

De Standaard (BE)

De Morgen (BE)

Núvol (ES)

Radio Onda Cero (ES)

Credits

Terug naar Trots

Amnes(t)ie