The Science of Laughter

Directed by

Jacques Mitsch

Written by

Jacques Mitsch, Gabriel Turkieh, Benoit Grison

Produced by

© 2011 ARTE France, Altomedia, K Production, DocLab

Documentary, France, Italy, 2011, 49 min

For how long have we been laughing? Are human beings the only one to laugh? We know that bonobos, chimpanzees and orangutans also enjoy having a good laugh, especially when tickled. There is even a “tickling machine” at the Institute of Neurology in London. What are the latest discoveries about neuronal and ethological origins of laughter? This film, a 52 minutes for ARTE France, is about why and how we laugh, a scientific and behavioral approach about laughter. It sure will make you laugh but not only in the way you expect.

Debate with :

• Jacques Mitsch, director
• Benoit Grison, biologist and sociologist of sciences
• Georges Chapouthier, director of research at the CNRS, author of numerous books on animals
• Gabriel Turkieh, producer Altomedia