June 14 2013 – “I think it’s the duty of a comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.” – George Carlin
Nobody, I mean nobody has been a bigger supporter of comedy in Canada than Mark Breslin, CEO and Founder of the internationally recognized Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Clubs. The Russell Peters, Howie Mandels and Norm MacDonalds of the world all cut their teeth here. Through the years, venerable performers such as Seinfeld, Leno and Letterman have made Yuk Yuk’s fertile ground for breaking new material while in town which speaks volumes for Breslin’s pedigree in landing legendary headliners.
In 1976, Breslin’s now comedic institution got its humble beginnings at The 519 on Church Street. Decades of steady success followed as the Yuk Yuk’s brand became synonymous with comedic royalty. Fast forward to 2009 and the Toronto International Film Festival’s spotlight on films from Tel Aviv which created a backlash. A group of anti-Israel activists tried to boycott associated films because they were made in Israel. Breslin, who believes that art should be used to bring people together, found this appalling.This was no laughing matter but more of a call to action for him. If he couldn’t bring Israeli comedians to Canada, then surely he could showcase top flight Canadian comedians in Israel. Embracing our differences, fears and political taboos through humour, insight and understanding is the thematic thread woven into the fabric of filmmaker, Igal Hecht’s poignant and humorous documentary, A Universal Language. We travel with 6 comedians as they seek to bring laughter to the Middle East while absorbing the people, history and culture of the Holy Land.
Sam Easton, Rebecca Kohler, Jean Paul, Mike Khardas, Aaron Berg and Nikki Payne got the call of a lifetime when Breslin selected these working comedians from diverse backgrounds for a series of showcases starting in Jerusalem. Candid first person accounts, highlights the impact this Middle East junket may have on their respective careers. No pressure, just the most influential comedy taste maker in Canada has you jet-setting to the Middle East for a series of exclusive engagements. Like I said, No pressure.
Hecht does a masterful behind the scenes job in the run up to the first showcase as Breslin along with his comedic charges spiral with pre-show jitters as the audience demographic is more George Burns than George Lopez. Re-tooling their material on the fly became job one for all, so as not to offend religious sensibilities. The art of making other laugh, breaks down borders, builds understanding and gives in other immeasurable ways. Philosophically speaking Breslin junket was all about the idea of challenging institutions and conventional norms, that’s what he loves about comedy. “When you start censoring people at the language level then your start censoring people at the idea level,” states Breslin. Hecht delves full board into how religion has shaped humour, and life in general in Israel. We are given another perspective to the power of comedy from Israeli comedians,Yisrael Campbell, Kandi Abelson, and Palestinian comedian Adi Khalefa as they wax insightfully on the struggles they face in pushing the boundaries of comedy while still adhering to the religious and ethnic sensibilities of the region.
Verdict: 4 / 5: This 8 day journey through the Holy Land underpinned by a fish out of water narrative goes deeper that just humour and hijinks. Hecht supplements our experience with awe inspiring history as we take in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre before making our way down to the Western Wall for prayer. The religious aspects of this journey cannot be over looked as each comedian has his or her own moment of either personal or spiritual reflection. This compelling social experiment borne out of hate at TIFF has the power to move you through laughter by removing the comedic safety net. Breslin, wouldn’t have it any other way.
A Universal Language can be found at the intersection of humour and religion.
Genre: Documentary, Comedy
Country: Canada
Year: 2013
Director: Igal Hecht
Producer: Igal Hecht
Writer: Igal Hecht
Executive Producer: Mark Breslin, Jeff Silverman
Cast: Mark Breslin, Sam Easton, Rebecca Kohler, Jean Paul, Mike Khardas, Aaron Berg , Nikki Payne, Yisrael Campbell, Kandi Abelson, Adi Khalefa
Runtime: 70 minutes
