"Tickling Giants" ... When Laughter Becomes a Weapon Against Oppression!

The documentary "Tickling Giants", directed by Sara Taksler, takes us on a fascinating journey with Egyptian media personality and heart surgeon Bassem Youssef, who turned political satire into a powerful tool to challenge authority.

Inspired by The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Bassem transitioned from surgery to comedy, creating "The show", a show that quickly became one of the boldest voices in the Arab world. Released in 2016, the film explores how "The show" broke political taboos in post-2011 Egypt, reflecting the aspirations of the people while delivering sharp, fearless criticism of those in power. However, despite its massive success, mounting political pressure and restrictions on free speech ultimately forced Bassem to shut down the show and leave Egypt. The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges faced by Bassem and his team, highlighting the censorship and threats they endured

The movie is more than just a personal story—it paints a broader picture of the struggle for free expression under oppressive regimes and demonstrates how comedy can be a powerful weapon in exposing the truth and resisting tyranny.

Because laughter isn’t just about humor… sometimes, it’s the noblest form of resistance!