As bad as some think things are in the United States, at least we’re free to mock anyone we want on TV. So far, anyway.
Consider what it’s like to be Bassem Youssef, a heart surgeon from Cairo, whose dream, like so many in the medical profession, was to host his own comedy show.
“I love sarcasm,’’ he says in a candid interview in Sara Taksler’s rollicking, tragi-comic documentary “Tickling Giants.’’ “If I could do anything, I would have my own comedy show and be like Jon Stewart. Make fun of New Jersey — whatever the hell that is. I would make fun of politics, the president. There’s only one problem. I live in Egypt.’’
At the time of the interview, Egypt was ruled by Hosni Mubarak, who had been in power for 30 years. (“What we call his first term,’’ quips Youssef.) Youssef’s homeland was not a very friendly place for satire, or dissent of any kind. “Living under Mubarak was like living under Mubarak,’’ he notes with a Henny Youngman flourish, his insight illustrated by an animated clip.
But then came the Arab Spring in 2011. First in Tunisia, where the people peacefully ousted the strongman ruling their country, then in Egypt, where thousands gathered at Tahrir Square to demonstrate against Mubarak’s military dictatorship. Youssef saw his opportunity to participate in the uprising and fulfill his ambition by putting a Stewart-like show on YouTube.
Millions responded. Everyone in Cairo watched and laughed. An Egyptian network gave him his own show, which he called “The Show.’’ Then in 2012, Jon Stewart invited Youssef to join him on his show in New York. Once there, Youssef played the awe-stricken admirer, even though his show in Egypt has 30 million viewers compared with Stewart’s two million.
Meanwhile, back in Cairo, things were getting rough. Mubarak had tried putting down the demonstrations with clubs, tear gas, and bullets. Many were killed and injured. Youssef brought his cameras to Tahrir Square to show what was really going on, refuting the distortions and cover-ups of the state controlled media. He used his medical expertise to treat the wounded and was tear-gassed himself in the process.
Eventually, miraculously, Mubarak stepped down. Arrangements were made for Egypt’s first open, democratic election. Youssef had become one of the most popular people in the country, so what could go wrong?
As we now know, the Arab Spring did not end well in Egypt.
“Tickling Giants’’ is a must-see in part because it offers an extraordinary point of view on recent history — that of witty, ironic TV celebrity. It is also very funny and moving — Youssef has Stewart’s patter, timing, mugging, and passion. He has the added edge of performing under circumstances that put him and his family in danger of imprisonment and worse.
Most of all, “Tickling Giants’’ warns other societies who take their rights for granted that if the leaders in your country can’t take a joke, the joke is on you.
“Tickling Giants’’ can be seen on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Kendall Square Cinema. The screening will be followed by a recorded interview of Youssef with Samantha Bee.
For more information go to www.landmarktheatres.com/ boston/kendall-square-cinema/film-info/tickling-giants.
Peter Keough can be reached at petervkeough@gmail.com.
