The first time I heard a French comedian (Coluche), I was speechless. Literally. I had no clue what this guy was saying. I understood maybe 50%, and none of it was funny. Even if you understand a language perfectly, it’s very possible that you won’t understand its humor. After all, comedy is very cultural. It’s based on everyday life, politics, history, things that are very particular to a country, or even to a certain city. Jean-Jacques Vanier took a broader approach, and maybe that’s why I understood him. His two-hour, non-stop, one-man comedy, L’envol du pingouin (The Flight of the Penguin), did use everyday situations, but merely as back-drops against which to examine more basic, human questions. He writes, in one scene, to the President of the Republic: "Is there a group for me on this earth? Preferably, in France? If so, what is this group? And what is my place in it?" Don’t get me wrong: this IS a comedy. In fact, it was hysterical! But also a little bit sad, in that almost all of the sketches revolve around the dilemma of a man who feels "un-adapted", out of place in society, and struggles to figure out where he can fit in. Touching, and very very funny!