STF is hosting a special screening of “Tickling Giants,” a new documentary about freedom of speech, on Wednesday, June 14 at New Roads School in Santa Monica. We want to gather leaders to give us feedback on further use of the film, so this is a select preview screening for STF students, teachers and friends of STF. Please RSVP and let us know if you can make it!
Sincerely,
Pam, Nancy and Kristin
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
5:00pm | Doors open
5:45-8:00pm | Film screening
New Roads School at the Herb Alpert Educational Village
3131 Olympic Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
About the film: 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 let those in power know they’re being held accountable. Despite increasing danger, the team at Al Bernameg employ 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.
