By Ann-Catrin Emanuelsson

STOCKHOLM, Sweden – The second edition of Kurdish-Swedish actress Nisti Sterk’s annual International Comedy Film Festival in Stockholm spread laughter and exposed moviegoers to the role of humor in connecting people under situations of prejudice and distress.

”Humor has the effect of disarming people. It creates understanding and identification. People get to know each other,” Sterk told Rudaw on the sidelines of the festival earlier this month. “Comedy is an underestimated eye-opener,” explained Sterk, 37.

”I hope for more Kurdish comedies in the coming years. They have not had the opportunity yet, but Kurdish people have humor. They are always joking. Black humor is a coping strategy in times of war and sorrow,” she added.

Popular comedy screenings from Iran, Lebanon, Mexico, India and France -- amongst other films that would otherwise have remained unknown to the audience -- were shown at cinemas in central Stockholm during the festival, which ran from October 1-4.

The film “No entry for men,” directed by one of Iran’s most popular comedians, delighted audiences with gender clichés played out at a girls’ school where a female headmaster hires the school’s first male teacher. The Swedish audience was reminded that, in the midst of difficulties, Iranians do make comedies.

By combining screenings with seminars, the festival not only offered glimpses into what makes people in other countries laugh, it also allowed audiences to participate in discussions on cultural codes and subtle ways of communicating emotions and ideas.

Shazia Mirza, a British-Muslim stand-up comedian currently protesting against the Islamic State group (ISIS) by making mockery of jihadi brides in her show, discussed with Sally Phillips and Jane Bussman -- well-known comedians respectively from Britain and the United States – whether there is a global humor or if jokes are specific to local culture.


”I travel all over the world with my repertoire. I never change anything, but audiences sometimes react in different ways,” Mirza explained to the audience. “Where British people laugh loudly, Swedish people react at a slower pace, but still smile and clap hands. In Pakistan I make my jokes harsher and dirtier.”

Among the popular comedy screenings were “Ghadi,” Lebanon’s contribution to last year’s Oscar awards, telling the story of a boy with Down’s syndrome whose neighbors are spreading rumors that he is a demon. But his dad luckily insists he is an angel.

The French film “Cheba Louisa” ran to packed houses, showing how Djemila, the head character, struggles to keep both her French boyfriend and her Algerian family.

”Ghadi is an absolute heartbreaking film, showing that everyone is good enough. ’Cheba Louisa’ is an important comedy, calling for reflection on honor, traditions and family bonds,” Sterk explained.

Perran Kutman, a well-known comedian among Kurds and Turks for her TV-show “Sister Perihan,” also shared highlights from her career at the festival, as did Gul Sunal, the wife of late Kemal Sunal, one of Turkey’s most beloved actors throughout time.

”I am so happy for all the positive feedbacks from the audience. We reached out to a broad audience by combining celebrated and fun guests from Turkey and Britain with beloved Swedish comedians and best-selling comedies from many parts of the world,” Sterk said, as she headed for the festival’s final screening, after four days of extensive activities.

Sterk, who came to Sweden from Diyarbakir as a five-year old, has received several awards for her performances. She has been celebrated for her instant connection with audiences. In 2009, she worked as TV-host in “Gulfiros,” a talk show at Turkey’s TRT6 TV channel.

Currently, Sterk is making a new TV-series out of her successful stand-up show called “The World of Zeyno.”

Zeyno, the main character, is a curious and determined mid-age Kurdish woman living in Sweden who does not take “no” for an answer and is more than happy to advise friends and neighbors about everything, from detergents to world politics. The show is an eye-opener on prejudices towards immigrants in Sweden, but also vice verse.

“The Comedy Film Festival offers a unique possibility to Stockholm to discover what people laugh at in other cultures,” according to the website of Sterk Productions, the company behind the festival. “Through humor and laughter we can get to know each other much better.”

Rudaw