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Project Detail

Tickling Giants

Synopsis

Cairo cardiologist Bassem Youssef ('the Egyptian Jon Stewart') quit surgery to front the hugely popular TV satire Al Bernameg (The Show) amid the country’s turbulent Arab Spring-led political upheavals. Youssef ultimately fell foul of government crackdowns. His programme was cancelled and he was forced to flee the country with his family.
This fascinating, fearless and often very funny documentary charts Youssef’s incredible late-career shift, detailing his and his team's determination and courage in standing up to successive totalitarian regimes, reminding us just how potent and dangerous comedy really can be.
Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2016 - Laugh Strand

Details

Year
2016
Type of project
Features
Running time
111 mins
Director
Sara Taksler
Producer
Sara Taksler, Frederic Rose, Maziar Bahari, Monica Hampton
Editor
Jamie Canobbio, Thomas M. Vogt, Tyler H. Walk
Screenwriter
Sara Taksler
Director of Photography
Wail Gzoly
Composer
Paul Tyan
Principal cast
Bassem Youssef, Jon Stewart

Genre

Human Rights

Categories

Documentary

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

US, Egypt, UK coproduction

Tickling Giants

c/o Sarkasmos Productions
Sara Taksler

Sales Company

Ro*Co Films International

80 Liberty Ship Way, Suite 5
94965 Sausalito
USA

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