SYNOPSICS
American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein (2009) is a English movie. David Ridgen,Nicolas Rossier has directed this movie. Musa Abu-Hashhash,Nidal Barham,Noam Chomsky,Alan Dershowitz are the starring of this movie. It was released in 2009. American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein (2009) is considered one of the best Documentary,Biography,History,Mystery,News,War movie in India and around the world.
A devoted son of Holocaust survivors and ardent critic of Israeli foreign policy, the polarizing American political scientist and author Norman Finkelstein has been called a lunatic and self-hating Jew by some, and an inspirational revolutionary by others. Exploring the deeply complex issues at the heart of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, American Radical is the insightful and enraging documentary that follows Finkelstein around the world as he attempts to negotiate a voice among impassioned critics and supporters. Uncompromising even in the face of his recent denial of tenure at DePaul University, Finkelstein is a complex and supremely lonely figure whose self-destructive nature often undermines his academic credibility. A guaranteed argument starter, this potent documentary plunges viewers into the psychological and intellectual underpinnings of a vitriolic personality.
American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein (2009) Trailers
American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein (2009) Reviews
Worthwhile but something is missing.
This documentary shows the uphill struggle of an outstanding man. Norman Finkelstein is arguably the only one who is bent on resolving the Isreal-Palestine conflict. In his methodical research, he focuses on what the United Nations say, what international law says, what people and organizations in Israel and Palestine say. His conclusion is that -contrary to popular belief- the conflict is not overly complicated nor controversial: Israel, backed by the United States and European governments, simply does not adhere to international law and blocks a peaceful settlement of the agreement. Watch a two hour lecture on YouTube, and decide for yourself how strong his case is. That is exactly the weak point of the documentary: it shows someone who swims against the current, but why this man keeps going is not well shown. You get the feeling that Finkelstein had better let it go since it is no use fighting. But had the film maker even only briefly summarized the content of Finkelsteins case, it would be clear why. And the audience would bond with him. I think that is a missed opportunity. Of course the film makers had to stop somewhere, but the sad fact is that since the assault on Gaza, end of 2008, and the shameful treatment of the Goldstone report, international public opinion has shifted significantly and a lot has happened. Our governments are pressuring Israel to stop the settlements and to change its course. People see through the 'anti-semite' or 'self hating Jew'-argument, with which some try to divert all critique of Israel. The documentary does not touch on that, which calls for a sequel! All in all very interesting, but investing two hours on YouTube to watch a lecture is many times more powerful and enlightening. PS: I saw this movie at the IDFA in Amsterdam.
He earned "HOW MUCH" as a teaching academic after graduating from Princeton?
The movie reveals that he has not had an easy life in the world of doctrinal academic rewards. Every time he tries to enlighten and bring logic and truth to the academic world, he is punished with lesser teaching load and hence a diminished association with the school. This ultimately leads to his defeat by the president at DePaul Univesity blocking of tenure (Faculty overwhelmingly supported his tenure). This documentary exposes the power play that is very real in the academic world. One would believe that this only exists in the corporate sector of the economy, but future academic beware! To answer the question in the subject line that made you read this review, he was paid $18,000 for his teaching course load after finishing his PhD. From Princeton and teaching at Hunter college in NYC. The administration at this college reduced his teaching hours further effectively ending his academic life there. Make no mistake, we live in a doctrinal world where you need to know that if you don't follow a certain level of subservience to power, you will pay!?! Great documentary...watch it and make up your own mind and leave a review here.
A good film for a wonderful man
This is a film that is long overdue. A film about a great ordinary man. A man of courage,a man of deep honesty and integrity.A real Mensch.A person with all the human troubles,failures, successes and doubts that make a principled individual so precious. Sadly this film,though well intentioned,does not do neither Norman Finkelstein nor his cause justice.It superficially follows his career and his various speaking tours, showing the strong emotions that the Israel Palestine conflict can raise,while interviewing friends,critics and family.What emerges is never fully rounded, giving only a glimpse and never explaining to those unfamiliar with both the Israel Palestine conflict or Finkelstein what his work is about. Those familiar with Finkelsteins careers are mostly aware that nothing he says is actually controversial. The recent Goldstone report only cemented this fact.In fact what distinguishes Finkelsteins style is that he is in reality extremely moderate,rarely venturing outside the safe territory of internationally accepted and undisputed law, even refusing to consider the more and more popular One-state solution. Radical is only a description, as Finkelstein explains in the film,of someone seeking radical justice in a radically unjust world.There is nothing really radical about that.Another problem of the film are the uncommented interviews with his critics,especially Dershowitz. In a rather humorous scene Dershowitz suggests that Finkelstein probably has a deep-seated problem with his Judaism.Unlike Dershowitz of course.Gulp. Another rather strange candidate to interview is a childhood friend, who from the comfort of her Telaviv home seems perplexed why Finkelstein,as she puts it,chose Jewish lawyers as the target of his"strange hate".Poor Jewish lawyers.Needless to say, the value of her opinions are rather questionable. To come to the point, nothing short of the Nobelpeace price could do this man justice. We are all in your debt Norman.Obama you sucker, move over. Here is a real Mensch.
An excellent introduction to some crucial information
I agree with the previous reviewer who said that equal time spent watching a debate or discussion yields more information. However, if the film leads to viewers looking into the issues (Palestinian self determination, academic freedom, the US role in the conflict, etc...) then it serves a valuable function. The uncomfortable thing about this type of film is that, perhaps out of certain features of the medium of film itself, it puts an individual at center stage of an event that impacts all of us, and has a kind of disempowering effect. We experience the drama through Finklestein and in a way purge ourselves of the responsibility to act in our own way. I watched the documentary, "All the Power to the People" soon after watching "American Radical" and was impressed by the difference in my reactions. I think the former succeeds in presenting the multiple dimensions of a social movement. I don't mean to compare the two films, and cannot fault "American Radical" for failing to achieve goals it did not set for itself. I do think it is noteworthy that some documentaries manage to avoid the presentation of history as being merely the result of key individuals.
Not in vain Professor Finkelstein - and thank you
Norman Finkelstein may indeed be a 'self-made pariah' of his time but this is not in vain and his resonance will likely have a positive enduring influence well beyond his time. Why isn't this obvious to everyone? People can't really find Finkelstein wrong, they just don't want him to speak. Norman here offers informed, truthful discussion and so many people rail against his desire for his clear, open dialogue. It's as though we're so mired in our hypocrisy just speaking the truth is banned. This is a terrible life situation made clear several times in the content of this well-made documentary. This man is tirelessly and unrelentingly committed to logical clarity and humaneness concerning the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Why is that even 'radical' and not common sense? This film about Professor Finkelstein's 'radical' activism has value. Watching and hearing people trying to bring him down It is difficult not to feel extreme disappointment in our fellow man's principles and character, yet despite this I want to dig deep and find more determination for what hope humanity may have left. So there's a notably positive net result to the Professor's cause. I felt a similar mixture of despair and defiance - even faith? - once while visiting the concentration camp memorial in Dachau, Germany. 'We're terrible at our worst, yet we're all One, and must somehow continue as one' was my galvanizing thought about humanity as I wandered, dazed in that horrifying place. Norman Finkelstein has a particular gift - he immediately inspires many people to think and speak, humanely. That's far from a futile waste of anyone's time, and well worth the trouble it gets him.