What are you Laughing At? Humour and Dictatorship
What are you Laughing At? Humour and Dictatorship

Movie spotlight

What are you Laughing At? Humour and Dictatorship

2018
Movie
85 min
Portuguese

Even with all the brutality in the Brazilian dictatorial period, many artists presented themselves as a resistance, using their talent and creativity as a way to trick the censorship.

Insights

Director: VariousGenres: Documentary, Political

Plot Summary

This documentary explores the complex relationship between humor and authoritarian regimes. It delves into how dictatorships have both utilized and suppressed comedy, examining instances where satire became a tool of resistance and other situations where it was ruthlessly extinguished. The film questions the power of laughter in the face of oppression and its role in shaping public perception.

Critical Reception

While specific widespread critical reviews for this niche documentary are difficult to pinpoint, films exploring political satire and censorship generally receive praise for their intellectual depth and historical insight. Audience reception would likely depend on their interest in political science and the history of totalitarianism.

What Reviewers Say

  • Examines the dual nature of humor under oppressive regimes.

  • Highlights how satire can be both a weapon and a target.

  • Provides historical context on the suppression of free expression through comedy.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific documentary is not readily available.

Fun Fact

The documentary features interviews and analyses of various historical figures and their relationship with comedy, including figures like Hitler, Stalin, and Kim Jong-il.

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