In April 2023, I was interviewed by Sophie Fouron for Chassés croisés, a series on the French television network TV5. The opportunity came about serendipitously — I had initially been contacted by a TV5 researcher seeking expertise on Sikh culture, but when our conversation turned to my creative work, particularly Panj, she became fascinated and pitched the idea of featuring me in the series.
The concept behind Chassés croisés resonated deeply — a series of chance encounters where Sophie engages with seemingly random passersby, discovering the rich stories beneath surface appearances. You really can't judge a book by its cover.
My conversation with Sophie was a delightful experience. She approached our exchange with genuine curiosity, sensitivity, and deep empathy. We explored my relationship with my father and the silence that can settle between a parent and child when the child comes out as queer — the grief over his sudden death, the lingering questions, the lost opportunity for dialogue. These themes are central to Panj, and the conversation naturally moved into how my artistic practice led to deeper insights about who he was and how he loved.
Chassés croisés — Saison 1
Dans différents lieux de passage de la ville, Sophie Fouron prend le risque d'intercepter les passants afin qu'ils nous racontent un pan de leur histoire. Ces rencontres nous rappellent qu'il ne faut jamais se fier aux apparences.
Histoires de froid · S01 E10 · 24 min
Le froid qui s'est installé entre Himmat et son père, en raison de ses choix de vie.