IMDb > Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (2005)
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World
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Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (2005) More at IMDbPro »

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Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (2005) -- To improve its relations with Muslim countries, the United States government sends comedian Albert Brooks to south Asia to write a report on what makes followers of Islam laugh.
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (2005) -- To improve its relations with Muslim countries, the United States government sends comedian Albert Brooks to south Asia to write a report on what makes followers of Islam laugh.
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (2005) -- To improve its relations with Muslim countries, the United States government sends comedian Albert Brooks to south Asia to write a report on what makes followers of Islam laugh.
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (2005) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
5.4/10   2,070 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 9% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Albert Brooks (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 November 2006 (Hungary) more
Genre:
Plot:
To improve its relations with Muslim countries, the United States government sends comedian Albert Brooks to south Asia to write a report on what makes followers of Islam laugh. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
Religion, politics and, of course, humor more (108 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Albert Brooks ... Albert Brooks

Sheetal Sheth ... Maya
Fred Dalton Thompson ... Sen. Fred Dalton Thompson

Penny Marshall ... Penny Marshall

Victoria Burrows ... Casting Director

Paul Jerome ... Studio Executive (as Paul Eric Jerome)
B.J. Ward ... Barbara Nader
Lynda Berg ... Margaret Allenton
Steve Kramer ... Sam Loman
Vipin Kumar ... Customs Agent
Avinash Kaur ... Job Applicant

Rima Laham ... Job Applicant
Sanjeev Johrai ... Hotel Guest
Imran Mashkoor Kahn ... Concierge
Kavita Ashok ... Waitress
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Untitled Albert Brooks Project (USA) (working title)
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MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for drug content and brief strong language.
Runtime:
98 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Sony Pictures Classics was originally going to distribute the film in the USA but chose not to, citing controversy over the film's title, which they wanted to change. Warner Independent Pictures then picked up the film for US distribution. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: The Indian flag shown in the Indian government office is upside down. The correct order of the flag is saffron at the top and green at the bottom. more
Quotes:
Man in Temple: [giving example of what makes him laugh] Okay. Laughter is a very serious business, I suppose. Ah, we put it this way. When suppose this gentleman... he is my friend. He takes me for a ride. He takes undue advantage... of my innocence, you can say. I am an emotional fool. He is trying to make me fool, but, I am not - a fool. I allow *him* to make me a fool. You know? Just be ignorant. I just trying to... more
Movie Connections:
References Harvey (1950) more
Soundtrack:
Put on a Happy Face more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
39 out of 65 people found the following comment useful.
Religion, politics and, of course, humor, 23 January 2006
10/10
Author: Sayeed1969 from United States

Let me begin by saying that this posting will actually be about the movie "Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World." It will NOT be an off-topic ranting about religion, politics or social consciousness. If such topics interest you, you'll find a ridiculous number of postings to this site that express personal opinions and fears, but which have very little to do with this movie.

Kudos to both Mr. Brooks and to Warner Independent for not shying away from what Sony believes is a controversial title. The title itself is part of the joke and helps to set up the movie as a comedy with a hopeless goal - one that the viewer and Mr. Brooks quickly recognize as futile, but which makes the pursuit that much more amusing to watch.

The film humorously explores the ignorance, naiveté and general stereotypes that many westerners have of the middle eastern world and of Muslims, and it does so in such an apologetic and deprecating manner that viewers can't help but laugh at themselves and the often ridiculous beliefs we have about other cultures. Let's face it, as Americans, we're sadly ignorant of most eastern cultures and if given a choice between feeling bad about it or mocking it, I'll take the latter.

Simply put, Brooks has put together a wonderfully funny satire that's some of his best work to date. Jokes about Halloween "Ghandi", explosives training, stoning rituals, Jews and corporate outsourcing all delivered in pure Brooksian style contribute to a very smart and clever film that Brooks aficionados will appreciate very much.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (108 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (2005)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Sheetal Sheth was the best thing about this film cityharbour
iam muslim and i think it's a masterpiece! hahaha animatedude123
In what world imdb1234-1
98 minutes of meta-humor ryancorn
This movie is... Pulp63
Al Brooks - you are a complete doornob... spuncky
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