In the midst of the Egyptian Arab Spring, Bassem Youssef makes a decision that’s every mother’s worst nightmare… He leaves his job as a heart surgeon to become a full-time comedian.

Dubbed, “The Egyptian Jon Stewart,” Bassem creates the satirical show, Al Bernameg. The weekly program quickly becomes the most viewed television program in the Middle East, with 30 million viewers per episode. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart averaged two million viewers.

In a country where free speech is not settled law, Bassem’s show becomes as controversial as it popular. He and his staff must endure physical threats, protests, and legal action, all because of jokes. As Bassem attempts to remain on the air, keep his staff safe, and not get arrested, he continues to hold those in power accountable. Despite increasing danger, the team at Al Bernameg employs comedy, not violence, to comment on hypocrisy in media, politics, and religion.

Tickling Giants follows the team of Al Bernameg as they discover democracy is not easily won. The young women and men working on Bassem’s show are fearless revolutionaries, who just happen to be really, really funny.

No unicorns or falafel were harmed in the making of this film.

This program is presented by OZ Arts Nashville in partnership with 21c Museum Hotel Nashville.

TICKLING GIANTS
Presented by Sarkasmos Productions LLC in association with Technicolor
Directed, Produced, Written and Executive Produced by Sara Taksler
Produced by: Frederic Rose, Maziar Bahari and Monica Hampton
Executive Producers: Technicolor and Hassan Elmasry
Starring: Bassem Youssef, Jon Stewart, Andeel, Miral El Desoki, Tarek AIQazzaz and Hend Radwan

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