Screenshot from 'A Universal Language.'

Want a film that will make you laugh and make you think?

A Universal Language is a feature documentary film by Igal Hecht which follows veteran comedian Mark Breslin and six Canadian stand-ups as they embark on a fascinating, comedy-based adventure in Israel. Very funny and hugely provocative – it’s essential viewing.

The stand-ups perform live comedy shows in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to a wide variety of audiences, some highly suitable for their comedy, others….less so. There are some awkward and charged moments.

In between the shows they go on a sightseeing tour around Israel, providing some beautifully-shot scenes which any lover of the country will cherish. It’s always fascinating seeing Israel through the eyes of first-time visitors – and all the more so when those eyes are as sharp as these.

On and off stage, the stand-ups are reverent and irreverent in all the right places. So is the film itself, which is both charming and thought-provoking. I recommend it. To find out more about the film, or arrange a screening, email: chutzpaproductions@hotmail.com

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