Bassem Youssef, aka the “Jon Stewart of Egypt,” made a career change from cardiothoracic surgeon to pursue comedy.
“This film is basically speaking truth to power, using sarcasm and satire against tyranny and against people who hold power but cannot handle a joke,” he told us at a screening of his new doc, “Tickling Giants.”
He added, “Dictators acquire their fake sense of respect out of making other people scared, so when you use a joke against them they feel insecure.”
He fled Egypt for Oakland, Calif.