American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein (2009)

92% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
86% of users liked it
(250 ratings)

Jewish-American Professor Norman Finkelstein vocalizes his criticism of Israeli policy and his views about what he refers to as the "Holocaust industry" in this documentary from filmmakers Nicolas Rossier and David Ridgen. The son of a Holocaust survivor, Finkelstein makes the controversial claim… More Jewish-American Professor Norman Finkelstein vocalizes his criticism of Israeli policy and his views about what he refers to as the "Holocaust industry" in this documentary from filmmakers Nicolas Rossier and David Ridgen. The son of a Holocaust survivor, Finkelstein makes the controversial claim that the state of Israel uses anti-Semitism as a justification for committing war crimes, and that this troubling trend can be traced back to the Jewish state's invasion of Lebanon in 1982. The film also takes the time to show how Professor Finkelstein's claims have landed him in the hot spot more than a few times, and resulted in the termination of his position at two prominent universities. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 24 min.
Directed By: David Ridgen, Nicolas Rossier
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Feb 11, 2010 Wide
On DVD: May 18, 2010
Studio: Typecast Releasing

Critic Reviews

Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times
While this tenure-challenged Middle Eastern studies professor is hardly pleasant cinematic company, it's tough to look away.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
A cautiously respectful documentary portrait of a political firebrand who presents himself as a beacon of moral truth in the murk of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ronnie Scheib, Variety
David Ridgen and Nicolas Rossier's docu on Norman Finkelstein, American Radical, promises to prove as controversial as the man himself.
Kam Williams, Sly Fox
Paints an empathetic picture of a passionate Palestinian apologist as a loony loudmouth whose rants deserve respect if only because virtually all of his relatives were exterminated in the Holocaust.
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
Paints an empathetic picture of a passionate Palestinian apologist as a loony loudmouth whose rants deserve respect if only because virtually all of his relatives were exterminated in the Holocaust.
Mark Keizer, Boxoffice Magazine
While this may be straightforward, politically neutral, documentary filmmaking, its makers have chosen an incendiary subject who pisses most people off the moment he opens his mouth.
Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
A well-balanced, important and timely documentary that's provocative and eye-opening regardless of whether or not you agree with Finkelstein's controversial arguments.
Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York
With impressive restraint, the fascinatingly thorny American Radical is less interested in the validity of Finkelstein's ideas -- seriously mounted, if inflammatory -- and more in the topsy-turvy life of today's professional academic.
Andrew Schenker, Slant Magazine
Even for those likely to be sympathetic to his point of view, Norman Finkelstein can be a difficult figure to embrace.
Louis Proyect, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Outstanding documentary on a modern prophet denouncing the crimes of Israel who is punished for telling the truth.