Tickling Giants

Tickling Giants

By Sara Taksler

  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release Date: 2017-06-13
  • Advisory Rating: NR
  • Runtime: 1h 53min
  • Director: Sara Taksler
  • Production Company: Sarkasmos Productions
  • Production Country: Egypt, United States of America
  • iTunes Price: USD 9.99
  • iTunes Rent Price: USD 0.99
7.6/10
7.6
From 33 Ratings

Description

Dr. 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 most viewed television program in the Middle East. He has 30 million viewers per episode, compared to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart’s 2 million viewers. In a country where free speech is not settled law, Bassem comes up with creative ways to non-violently challenge abuses of power. He endures physical threats, protests, and legal action - all because of jokes. No unicorns or falafel were harmed in the making of this film.

Trailer

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Reviews

  • Tickling Giants

    5
    By CD201
    American citizens need to watch this movie. We have a Chief Executive who very much enjoys his freedom of expression as he conveys it through Twitter. But heaven help those that have different opinions than what is conveyed by our President. Loss of freedom doesn’t happen all at once. It is a slippery slope and this movie shows how the brief period of liberty enjoyed in Egypt following the Arab Spring of 2011 quickly closed. America is at its best when differing ideologies combine forces for an enlightened and comprising solution that would not have been possible unless the two sides had met somewhere near middle. It increasingly appears that this process is currently lost here in the US. It is our process that is our savior and not the executive office and I don’t think this President gets this point. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The parable of the frogs that boil to death in a hot spring where the temperature goes up one degree an hour applies here. Pay attention to our own political temperature by watching this movie which should hopefully remind us in the US how good we really have it.
  • An amazing documentary

    5
    By Mellupa78
    A documentary that will make you laugh that will make you cry but finally will make you stronger after finishing it. A great documentary of a brave man Bassem Youssef who endured so much to only enjoy his freedom the right he was born with. A great watch and addition to my library. So proud of you Bassem Youssef.
  • Defintely Agree with Rotten Tomatoes on This One

    5
    By TRK02
    A powerful documentary about a one person's attempts to bring freedom of expression to a country whose government gives freedom lip service, but persecutes journalists who speak out their truths. The videos and photos have a strong emotional impact – the street fighting and protests as well as Mr. Youssef at home with his family. A must-see…
  • Spot on

    5
    By aboushadi
    Watch like an egyptian and american
  • Funny and exciting!!

    5
    By ZoharFromWayBack
    I don't watch a lot of documentaries, but friends recommended this movie to me because I like comedies, the Daily Show, John Oliver, and Samantha Bee. This movie is funny like those shows, and Bassem's story is a crazy one.
  • Very Funny!

    5
    By Comedy fan 55
    I literally laughed and cried. Really happy I checked out this indie movie. As a comedy fan, I loved seeing how someone just randomly becomes a late-night comedy host. One of my new favorite films. I don’t watch a lot of documentaries and this, to me, played more like a scripted movie. It’s incredible what the subject of the film has been through.
  • A MUST watch!

    5
    By dmitch
    Take the 2 hours to get informed...
  • Irreverent and highly relevant

    5
    By Canofwords
    Funny, scary, inspiring, and entertaining, this film is also incredibly timely. It's a field guide for peaceful protest, and a vivid example of the power of humor, and the high cost standing up to authoritarianism. See it before it's banned.
  • Great film!!!

    5
    By Brooklyn Watcher
    This was a fantastic film - highly entertaining as well as educational. 3 generations in my family thought it was wonderful - 18 yr old nephew and 91 yr old. mother! I highly recommend taking a couple of hours to watch this film!
  • Entertained, affected, educated, and inspired!

    5
    By salmansagt
    The Egyptian Arab Spring has evolved in a complicated subject, one that is difficult to learn about and/or teach due to its serious nature. "Tickling Giant" comes a breath of fresh air. The movie shows the gravity of the situation in Egypt in a light-hearted manner. This film shows the power of a person's words and how they can be creatively used to express opposition. "Tickling Giants" is also very educational and serves as an inspiration for people to use their words to stand up for what they believe in and for the fundamental idea of democracy that is freedom of speech. Given the current political situation in the US, it has become more relevant now than ever to encourage people to do this.

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