Starring: Norman Finkelstein
Directors: David Ridgen and Nicolas Rossier
Ah, the power of the human mind, and what can become of an impassioned spirit.
This is a story of a remarkable scholar who holds his extremely controversial views on the state of Israel with such conviction, he costs himself his job, and likely any future employment in the academic ranks.
The purpose of this documentary, in my opinion, is not to make the case for or against any nation, or to deliver its fundamental arguments one way or another. What this documentary film presents is that although Dr. Finkelstein's academic research and publications are extensive and acknowledged by a large number of scholars and organizations worldwide, his controversial remarks and academic feud with Alan Dershowitz at Harvard University culminated in the denial of tenure and subsequent termination from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. The directors portray these events as an outrageous violation of his academic freedom and right to the free dissemination of ideas.
No matter what side of the coin you're on, this is an inspiring and noteworthy documentary of a thinker who fights passionately for human civil rights and the right of self-determination to the point where University and professorship status mean nothing to him in the grand scheme of things.
B+ for directing.
A for acting.
A for plot.
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