Watch American Radical - The Trials of Norman Finkelstein

American Radical - The Trials of Norman Finkelstein is a documentary film released in 2009. It tells the story of one of the most controversial and polarizing academics in America, Norman Finkelstein, and his struggle for truth and justice in the academic and political world. The film follows the life and career of Norman Finkelstein, a son of Holocaust survivors, who became a prominent critic of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. The story is told through interviews with Finkelstein himself as well as his friends, family, colleagues, and critics. The documentary delves into the life of Finkelstein, who is a professor of political science known for his outspoken views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He is a man who challenges what he sees as Israeli government policies and US foreign policy towards Israel.

Many of Finkelstein's critics, including those within his own university, have accused him of having "crossed the line" into anti-Semitism. However, he has always defended his claims by pointing out that he is an “anti-Zionist”, not an "anti-Semite" and that his critique is based on human rights and international law, rather than ethnic or religious grounds.

The documentary also covers Finkelstein's controversial tenure at DePaul University, where he was denied tenure despite winning glowing reviews from his peer. This led to an uproar in the academic community and accusations of political bias against the university.

Alongside Finkelstein’s story, the documentary brings to light broader issues related to academic freedom, free speech, and the power of the Israel Lobby in American politics. It features interviews with prominent scholars such as Noam Chomsky and John Mearsheimer, who provide their thoughts on Finkelstein’s academic contribution and on the broader issues that he has confronted.

One of the most remarkable moments of the documentary is when Finkelstein testifies at the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict in 2009. His testimony is an emotional and powerful critique of Israel’s abuse of human rights in the occupied territories. Finkelstein manages to balance his criticism with respect for the Israeli army, whose former members he helped in the past.

The documentary offers a fascinating insight into the life and work of a passionate humanist and activist, who has dedicated his life to speaking truth to power. American Radical - The Trials of Norman Finkelstein is a raw and honest portrait of a controversial figure, whose work is both inspiring and challenging.

Overall, this documentary offers a compelling and thought-provoking look at the life and times of a scholar who has been vilified and attacked by many, but who continues to push for truth and justice, regardless of the consequences. It raises vital questions about the role of power and propaganda in shaping our perceptions of conflicts and illustrates what can happen to those who dare to question them.

American Radical - The Trials of Norman Finkelstein is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8 and a MetaScore of 71.