TICKLING GIANTS
Archival Producer
"AN EBULLIENT ODE TO FREEDOM ... Terrific movie." – Variety
"FIRST RATE" – The New York Times
Tickling Giants tells the story of Dr. Bassem Youssef, the "Egyptian Jon Stewart", who decides to leave his job as a heart surgeon and become a late-night comedian. The movie documents his journey to find creative, non-violent ways to protect free speech and fight a president who abuses his power.
Along the way, Bassem creates the most viewed television program in the Middle East, with 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 endures physical threats, protests, and legal action - all because of the potent and perceptive jokes he tells. As the film unfolds, Bassem’s team’s heroism is revealed as they risk their safety to defend a right we in the US all too often take for granted.
Available on iTunes and Amazon. Read more about the film at ticklinggiants.com.