“France lacked a stand-up scene that would be a bridge to artists from the Arab world,”
explains Ianis Cucco, programmer and production director.
It's done.
Until February 4, 2024, the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) is organizing the fifth edition of its Comedy Club.
Around twenty comedians take to the stages of the Institute's auditorium and form an explosive program: opening night with the best of the stand-up scene, queer "Habibi" evening, shows in dialectal Arabic, closing evening with Count Bouderbala… Once again, the IMA becomes
“a bridge between the Arab world and France”
, announces Frédérique Mehdi, director of cultural action at the IMA.
“Stand-up is one of the performing arts most in touch with the world as it goes
,” explains Jack Lang, president of the IMA.
“Insolent, connected, committed, more than any other form of oral expression it leads us to reconsider current affairs, our daily lives, our loves, the society in which we live, from the percussive angle of a sometimes joyful humor, sometimes grating, sometimes provocative, always offbeat.
»
This year again, the IMA relies on a programming team made up of Tarik Seddak (former artistic director of Studio Bagel, Golden mustache and the Jamel Comedy Club), Ouarda Benlaala (Cinetalents) and Ianis Cucco (programmer and production director ).
The edition of the IMA Comedy Club is an opportunity to invite renowned artists from the French and Arabic-speaking scenes to a single venue, such as Akim Omiri, Jessé, Tony Saint-Laurent, Dena, Tahnee, Comte de Bouderbala ... but not only.
The IMA also has a mission to bring out new talents.
Queer gala and Arabic-language shows
Each year, the IMA supports and trains a young emerging talent who has the opportunity to perform their first stand-up act during the opening night.
This first-time standup is welcomed into a happy team:
“We all know each other, the atmosphere is warm and caring
,” confides comedian Younès Depardieu, who emphasizes that this type of event is an opportunity to bring together communities and religious faiths in an atmosphere conducive to living together.
The IMA is progressive by nature and aims to represent all artistic scenes in the Arab world
Frédérique Mehdi, director of cultural action at the IMA.
To extend the “Habibi the Revolutions of Love”
exhibition
currently underway at the IMA, a 100% queer gala has been added to the program.
“This evening of the IMA Comedy Club is not only consistent with the cultural news of the IMA, but it also responds to a concern: this scene [
LGBTQIA+ editor’s note]
is still too invisible in terms of humor »
, remarks Frédérique Mehdi.
“The IMA is progressive by nature and has a mission to represent all artistic scenes in the Arab world.
» An approach consistent with the role of the corrosive, impertinent and sometimes provocative humor characteristic of stand-up.
For Mahaut Drama, comedian and columnist on France Inter,
“stand-up is a place of struggles and demands.
It’s a place where we can “laugh with”, and not “laugh at”, on common subjects while being a vector of change.”
Someone who cannot imagine her job devoid of any committed discourse is delighted that the IMA is organizing an event
“where words and humor unite.”
And it is this unifying and warm spirit that spectators enjoy seeing every year.
“People come back, and the audience is diverse,”
explains Frédérique Mehdi
.
“We observe in the room an astonishing intergenerational and socio-cultural crossover.
There are teenagers, families, elderly people, and this mix of generations helps to form a good-natured atmosphere.
It is also the strength of the IMA to bring together issues from various horizons.”
Two shows, one in Moroccan dialect, the other in Tunisian dialect, will complete the program.
Building on the success achieved last year, this initiative is renewed for an Arabic-speaking audience who does not often have the opportunity to attend stand-up acts in the Arabic dialect.
“The comedians themselves say that they do not approach their show in the same way when they speak in their dialect,”
smiles Frédérique Mehdi.
“They don't use the same references, they change pace, it's a form of dexterity!
Humor has its languages.”
Practical information: IMA, 1 Rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard, 75005 Paris;
By reservation.
Friday February 2, at 8 p.m., evening in Moroccan dialect Arabic;
Saturday February 3, at 4:30 p.m., literary meeting with Mourad Winter and at 8 p.m., evening in Tunisian dialect Arabic;
Sunday February 4, at 8 p.m., closing evening with Le Comte de Bouderbala.