American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein (2009)

Pretty Good

The acting in this movie is really good.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

*** This review may contain spoilers ***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.

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.

What a remarkable Being.Resolve such as this unequivocally emanates from a very deep seated sense of Humanity.He unwaveringly challenges with a banner of Morality and Ethics in one hand and Factual Truths in the other.Such a Noble individual, to stand against many of those within his own religious faith, knowing them to be Wrong.This can only be true Righteousness.Whether he is of Jewish faith or not, appears to be far less relevant to him than are his guiding Moral Values and Ethical Principles.His profound sense of Humanity was undoubtedly nurtured early in life by his mother and what she came away with, from her own persecution under the Nazis.Simply put, he is a true Rebel.Much has been written about the 'Humanity of the Rebel' throughout history. Essentially, it is one who selflessly challenges Injustice, regardless.What makes him a Radical however, is not his message, but rather that he does little to self-preserve. So tenaciously committed, is he, to the message, that he has forsaken better judgment when it comes to his own personal needs.Unlike his mentor Chomsky who bucks the establishment from within, he does so from without, and hence, has found himself more ostracized, besieged, and assaulted. This has sadly brought him much personal sacrifice and pain, to say the least.Otherwise as a Rebel, he clearly has no interest in personal empowerment, as evidenced by his plight. He continually and steadfastly reiterates the Truthful Facts as they stand, allowing them to speak for themselves.He is such an extremely well-informed scholar that it has been virtually impossible for anyone to take him on based on the facts, whether in writing or in debate. He consistently attempts to remain intellectually focused and composed, not allowing anyone to derail him, nor deflect and escape his steel-trap mind.To his credit, he has been unwavering in his onslaught against Injustice, in spite of the many risks, hardships and obstacles before him.One can only hope, that in time, he will become more enlightened with regard to the need to effect change from within, however, even if so, it is likely too late, as he has found himself indeed a self-made pariah. Otherwise, he should continue in his noble pursuit of challenging Injustice, and hopefully without any additional peril to himself.Unfortunately, for this Rebel, as with others in history, their goal is never fully accomplished, for Injustice will forever be part of the Human Experience.As with all genuine rebels, he will be hailed and remembered long after he has gone.

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.