A survey of, and discussion about, examples of contemporary World Cinema, framed around expressions of humour on film (satire, parody, the human condition).  The intention is to explore different approaches to what makes audiences laugh or smile, and how film can speak to the local and familiar. The films, and subsequent discussions will explore the idea of a national sense of humour in film (What makes a Japanese audience laugh?  What do Finnish filmgoers find funny?), but also how expressions of humour can cross geographical and cultural barriers. Given this theme, the emphasis will be on the lighter side of World Cinema but the films we see will also illuminate issues around politics, cultural values and identity.