Send in the clowns: humour as a weapon

A film by Martin Boudot
First boradcast May 28, 2014 on Canal+

A new type of activism is emerging. It uses a quite unusual weapon to condemn injustice: laughter. We follow some of this new generation activists to see what they do and if their method works.

In France, we follow several groups such as the ironically named “Save the Rich” who are trying to raise awareness on social issues through humor. Then we get acquainted with the “Yes Men”, two American guys who pioneered this new kind of activism. But mocking the system can be a dangerous activity in some parts of the world. Like in Egypt or Syria. We meet Syrians performing skits as bombs fall around them; their comedy is a form of resistance but also a call-out for intervention to the international community.