U.S. Doctors Make Difficult Choices While Helping Wounded Children in Gaza at Sundance Film Festival
Documentary "American Doctor" Sheds Light on the Human Cost of Conflict
Park City, Utah – The haunting image of six young Palestinian children, their small bodies lined up on a gurney, encapsulates the tragic loss of life in Gaza amid ongoing conflict. This poignant scene is featured in the documentary American Doctor, directed by Oscar nominee Poh Si Teng, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
The documentary provides a stark examination of civilian casualties in Gaza through the lens of three American doctors volunteering their expertise in trauma response. Among them are Dr. Mark Perlmutter, a Jewish physician; Dr. Thaer Ahmad, a Palestinian American; and Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, whose parents are part of Pakistan’s Parsi community.
In a significant moment early in the film, Dr. Perlmutter presents a still photograph of the deceased children. When Teng hesitates to include it, citing a desire to protect their dignity, Dr. Perlmutter challenges her, saying, “Israel took away their dignity… Their bodies tell the story of this trauma, of this genocide. You’re not doing them a service by not showing them.”
The documentary details the harrowing experiences of Perlmutter and Sidhwa as they work in the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, Gaza, striving to save severely injured children. Meanwhile, Dr. Ahmad has faced obstacles in his efforts to return to Gaza for humanitarian missions, reportedly being barred from entry due to his Palestinian heritage.
In addition to their work in Gaza, the doctors participate in U.S. media interviews to discuss their experiences. Although their candidness has garnered both support and backlash, Dr. Ahmad reflects on one particularly harsh email he received after an interview with CNN anchor Dana Bash, which accuses him of being "antisemitic."
"This is the kind of really frustrating part of this," Dr. Ahmad states in the film. "I’m not a spokesperson for anybody… I’m a Palestinian who wants to see babies that look like my babies not being killed anymore."
The documentary highlights the grave risks faced by healthcare workers in Gaza, where 1,700 have reportedly lost their lives since the onset of Israeli military operations in October 2023. The World Health Organization and the UN indicate that 94 percent of hospitals in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, a situation that UN Special Rapporteurs have referred to as "medicide."
Producer Kirstine Barfod describes the targeting of healthcare facilities in war zones as undeniable, framing it as a significant political question. "What we do and what we have done with this film is that we zoom in on a moment in time," she explains, emphasizing the urgency of conveying this message to American audiences.
Dr. Perlmutter addresses the implications of U.S. military aid to Israel, pointing out the connection between tax dollars and the civilian casualties depicted in the documentary. According to a report from Brown University, the U.S. has provided $21.7 billion in military aid to Israel since the October 7 Hamas attack.
"Teng, a Malaysian-born filmmaker who became a U.S. citizen in 2024, hopes the film will provoke critical reflection among Americans about their government’s role in the conflict. She asserts, “What we’re hoping to show our audience, especially Americans, is… what are we doing about this?”
In collaboration with Teng, American Doctor is produced by Barfod and Reem Haddad, a Palestinian Canadian with extensive experience in Middle Eastern issues. The documentary is set for distribution through Watermelon Pictures, a production company focused on amplifying marginalized voices.
Barfod elaborates on the film’s distribution strategy, noting plans for both global outreach and a potential holdback agreement with streaming services like HBO and Netflix.
As viewers anticipate potential criticism of the film, Teng reflects on her responsibilities as a filmmaker. “If you’re so scared about everything, you’re never going to do anything,” she states, emphasizing the importance of taking action amid uncertainty.
American Doctor captures a painful moment in time, compelling audiences to confront the realities of war and the lives lost amid political turmoil.
