TICKLING GIANTS

Presented by the American Cinematheque and Human Rights Watch Film Club
TICKLING GIANTS, 2016, 111 min. “There isn’t a wrong time for comedy or for speaking truth to power. Now is always the right time to speak out,” notes director Sara Taksler of this inspiring documentary, which follows Dr. Bassem Youssef, the “Egyptian Jon Stewart,” who decides to leave his job as a heart surgeon to become a late-night comedian. In the midst of the Arab Spring, Youssef’s TV show attracts 30 million viewers as he finds creative, nonviolent ways to protect free speech and fight a president who abuses his power. “An ebullient ode to freedom … a terrific movie that leaves you cherishing (a little more) the freedom we have, and holding in contempt (a little more) those who would compromise it.” – Owen Gleiberman, Variety. Discussion following with documentary subject Bassem Youssef and director Sara Taksler.