“The problem of humanity can only be solved by constant fear.”

(Hassan Blasim, The Corpse Exhibition)

Fear is the engine of our daily routine and behavior. It is omnipresent in the media, in conversations, in opinions, in policy. Politicians use it to amend existing laws and approve new ones. The media feed the existing fear of the ‘Other’. The ruthtless outcome of this mechanism that feeds human fears is becoming more visible everywhere. To what extent ís fear a natural mechanism of self-protection or determined by our experiences? Where and when does this turn into an all destructive monster? 

A collection of short stories and the personal biography of the Iraqi-Finnish artist Hassan Blasim are the starting point for The Interview (God99) in which theatre-maker Enkidu Khaled investigates the current notion of fear. Blasim is considered to be one of the most important contemporary Arab authors. Despite their age difference of 15 years, both Enkidu and Hassan are artistically shaped by their experience in a war-torn Iraq and a peaceful, but more and more confused and anxious Europe.

Enkidu Khaled is surrounded by various makers, like author, director and performer Joachim Robbrecht, visual artist and engineer Stan Wannet and theatre maker Nele Verreecken.

concept Enkidu Khaled performers Joachim Robbrecht, Hassan Blasim, Nele Vereecken, Sara Dziri live music Sara Dziri stage design Stan Wannet dramaturgy Lisa Skwirblies 

production Platform 0090 coproduction Productiehuis Theater Rotterdam, C-Takt, KAAItheater, de Brakke Grond, Kultuurfactorij Monty, Kaap, Moussem Nomadic Arts Center, Perpodium thanks to Uitgeverij Jurgen Maas, with the support of Kunstencentrum BUDA, Workspacebrussels, the Flemisch Community