Tickling Giants

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.

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.

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…

Watch like an egyptian and american

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.

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.

Take the 2 hours to get informed...

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.

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!

This poignant film by Sara Taksler shows a ray of light in a country that suppresses free speech despite its "democratic elections." That light is Bassem Youssef, dubbed the Egyptian John Stewart. Youssef introduces comedy and satire as a way to connect with the populace and keep the government accountable. This guy is so brave. Despite regular death threats, being arrested (which in Egypt appears to be terrifying), and the general day-to-day risk that he and his staff endured by speaking out through comedy to open people's eyes, they never gave in to the pressure. The animation was also really cool and a nice touch to the film. While this is a political documentary, anyone on the right or left would enjoy this movie. In an unprecedented time of divisiveness in the US political landscape, Taksler shows how free speech is essential is any real democracy and how comedy is a great outlet for nonviolent expression during turbulent times.