American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein

A probing, definitive documentary about American academic Norman Finkelstein. A devoted son of Holocaust survivors and ardent critic of U.S.-Israeli foreign policy, Finkelstein has been at the center of much intractable dissent. Called a self-hating Jew by some and an inspired revolutionary by others, Finkelstein is a deeply polarizing figure whose struggles arise from core questions of freedom, identity and nationhood. Giving equal time to his critics and supporters, American Radical provides an intimate and revealing portrait of the man behind the controversy.

“For us, Finkelstein is the consummate documentary subject: a complex firebrand, principled to the point of self-ruin, at the apex of several of the world’s largest conflicts. A man who has never been asked to appear on mainstream American television, but who regularly appears – always creating controversy – in the international media. At once anti-hero, clown, and merciless scholar, Finkelstein creates as many storms as he enters. And to what end? When radicals collide, does it create understanding? Some would argue that it sometimes does. Others would claim that Finkelstein’s principled but too often bitter advocacy does much to discredit the cause of a just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Audiences can decide for themselves.” — directors David Ridgen & Nicolas Rossier

"A guaranteed argument starter...an engaging portrait of an academic whose work is both fueled and undermined by his vitriolic personality." (Chicago Reader)

"Finkelstein's critics, most notably Harvard prof Alan Dershowitz, get plenty of face time...there is much to make any fair-minded observer stop and think." (Ben Harris, Jewish and Israel News)

"A fascinating, well-rounded portrait of Finkelstein that simultaneously informs, inspires and infuriates…the filmmakers ride a delicate line, assembling a warts-and-all portrait that shows why Finkelstein is deeply respected and equally reviled." (Mark Achbar, Director of The Corporation and Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media)



“‘American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein’ is 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.” —Stephen Holden, New York Times

“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. Amazingly, that choice doesn’t result in a boring movie.” —Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York

“‘American Radical’…presents a more balanced portrait of Finkelstein, who, when his passion doesn’t carry him off on a wave of anger, is shown to be thoughtful, intelligent and deeply melancholy.” —George Robinson, The Jewish Week

“A blood-boiling, very good documentary.” —Mark Keizer, Boxoffice Magaine

“(Norman Finkelstein’s) conclusions can be debated, his methods can be deplored, but as (‘American Radical’ directors) Ridgen and Rossier take pains to point out, a man so rigorously committed to putting an end to oppression ought not be so easily dismissed, even if coming to grips with such a challenging figure may be finally as difficult as getting to the bottom of the Arab-Israeli conflict itself.” —Andrew Schenker, Slant Magazine