American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein

Name: American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein
Genre: History, Mystery, War, Documentary, News
Released: February 12, 2010
Duration: 84 min
Rating: 71

2010

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Generally favorable reviews based on 6 Critic Reviews

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Universal acclaim based on 6 Ratings

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 6 Ratings

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American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein

Movie Details & Credits

Typecast Releasing | Release Date: February 12, 2010

Summary: American Radical is the probing documentary portrait of American academic and activist Norman Finkelstein. A devoted son of holocaust survivors, ardent critic of Israeli and US Mid-East policies and author of six provocative books–including The Holocaust Industry, Beyond Chutzpah and the soon-to-be-released A Farewell to Israel: The ComingAmerican Radical is the probing documentary portrait of American academic and activist Norman Finkelstein. A devoted son of holocaust survivors, ardent critic of Israeli and US Mid-East policies and author of six provocative books–including The Holocaust Industry, Beyond Chutzpah and the soon-to-be-released A Farewell to Israel: The Coming Break-Up of American Zionism, Finkelstein has been at the center of many intractable controversies. Called a lunatic and a self-hating Jew by some and an inspirational, street-fighting revolutionary by others, Finkelstein is a deeply polarizing figure whose struggles arise from core questions about freedom, identity and nationhood. Following him as he presents his message to audiences around the globe, American Radical provides an intimate portrait of the man behind the controversy, giving voice to Finkelstein’s critics as well as his supporters. (Typecast Releasing)… Expand

Director: David Ridgen and Nicolas Rossier

Genre(s): History, Mystery, War, Documentary, News

Runtime: 84 min

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Critic Reviews

Joshua Rothkopf

His own worst enemy, Finkelstein has both trouble and tragic writ large on his brow. Read full review

Andrew Schenker

Nov 13, 2017

As 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. Read full review

Stephen Holden

Because it is a film, American Radical can only begin to sketch the complicated historical and political debates that engage Mr. Finkelstein and his detractors, but it allows both sides to make their cases. Read full review

Ella Taylor

American Radical shows--albeit with great reluctance--how a formidable intellect partnered with an absolutist disposition can get you absolutely nowhere. Read full review

Gary Goldstein

Nov 13, 2017

While this tenure-challenged Middle Eastern studies professor is hardly pleasant cinematic company, it's tough to look away. Read full review

Ronnie Scheib

For some, the documentary will represent the endorsement of a self-hater spouting traitorous ideas; for others, it celebrates the courage of a reviled, truth-telling martyr to the cause of academic freedom. Read full review

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User Reviews

JimG.

Mar 23, 2010

A really moving picture. hope it could be nominated for an Oscar or something. Dershowitz is actually compelling in it but so is finkelstein in some parts.

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GautamM.

Apr 4, 2010

An accurate description of the trials and tribulations of norman finkelstein. it becomes clear as the documentary progresses that the argument that finkelstein exploits the israeli-palestinian conflict for personal gain as bunked.

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rainsarge

Dec 5, 2013

A fascinating documentary giving a look into the mind of a polarizing figure Professor Norman Finkelstein a man with a brilliant mind who is willing to defy the most powerful organizations and his community for his own unpopular intellectual convictions.

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