A danced metaphor, an autofictional narrative laced with digressions, introspection in motion: Ommi Sissi starts from the body, what it has endured, what it is going through, what it fears, to initiate a rich choreographic journey. A vehicle for memory and metamorphosis, the body is simultaneously the tool, the material, and the theme of the performer. A text unfolds, recounting a slice of life in the basement of a hospital building: a whole gallery of characters - among whom lurks Mongia, the fantasized specter of illness - dance with him in this solo. For there are many kinds of solitudes.

With this third production, inspired by a personal experience that turned his life upside down, the Tunisian researcher, dancer, and performer pursues a resolute and confident exploration of his body in order to open up a zone of free sexual expression and a vital space for the flourishing of non-normative identities.

Mohamed Issaoui is a Tunisian performer and dancer, winner of the 2021 Prince Seed Award. Born in El Kef in 1993, Mohamed has a degree in modern literature and is currently pursuing research in dance at Paris 8 University.

Specializing in traditional Tunisian dance, his performances explore political and social issues related to the context of but also to his personal journey, particularly on themes related to gender and sexuality.

In 2017, Mohamed co-created his first performance, Le Déserteur, with musician Imen Mourali, based on an autobiographical text in which he questions his relationship to sexuality, gender, and urban space. In 2019, he created his solo piece STEPS – خطاوي, in which he explores traditional dances and portrays a transformed body and the narrative of a subversive life. Mohamed is currently working on his new choreographic creation BEETLE أُمّي سيسي, which revolves around the theme of HIV/AIDS.
choreography and performance Mohamed Issaoui / sound design Houieda Hedfi / choreographic support Selim Ben Safia / production Tunisian Queer Residency / executive production and distribution Association Al Badil