American Doctor

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American Doctor

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1h 33m

Documentary

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100%

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40 Reviews

96%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

AMERICAN DOCTOR is a vérité non-fiction film following three prominent physicians--Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian--friends who couldn't be more different but are bound by their shared oath to save lives. Dr. Thaer Ahmad is measured and strategic, Dr. Mark Perlmutter is blunt and wears his heart on his sleeve, and Dr. Feroze Sidhwa is media-savvy and prolific. Filmed in unfolding, on-the-ground scenes, the story follows them from a Gazan hospital under siege, to the halls of Congress. Together they fight to keep a promise to their Palestinian colleagues and patients, to continue the struggle where it matters most: the United States.

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Critics Consensus

American Doctor bears visceral witness to the crisis in Gaza, transforming the grim realities of the operating room into an urgent portrait of humanitarian resolve.

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Alonso Duralde

Press Play (KCRW)

5h

The human brain can hear a term like "hospital bombing" and push it aside, but it's very different when you see it happening, when the camera is inside the hospital and you see the results.

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Tim Grierson

Los Angeles Times

4d

We come to admire Ahmad, Perlmutter and Sidhwa, but Teng provides just enough shading so that subtle cultural tensions between the men start to emerge.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

4d

4/4

“American Doctor” unflinchingly takes us into a hospital that should be a safe haven, but in reality is anything but (and that goes for patients, doctors and staff). This is a film that will stay with you after you exit the theater.

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Laura Clifford

Reeling Reviews

2d

A-

We'll learn that after Dr. Sidhwa worked extensively to save a young boy, that child was incinerated in his hospital bed when the first missile strikes Nasser [Medical Complex].

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Michael Ward

Should I See It

3d

4.5/5

Whatever political arguments surround American Doctor, Poh Si Teng keeps returning our attention to three simple things: a doctor, a patient, and the obligation to try to save a life.

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Ray Pride

Newcity

3d

10/10

Harrowing and precise... We witness the work.

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Garrett

2d

everyone needs to see this. we can’t look away

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Rami

3d

Wowwww must watch must see. Bring tissues

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Najwa

Aug 24

One thing I found especially remarkable is that Poh Si Teng, the director, wasn't even allowed into Gaza. She had to rely on Palestinian filmmakers inside Gaza to capture what was happening. Ibrahim Al-Otla, the Gaza-based cinematographer/director of photography, working with the doctors. She directed and assembled the film from outside Gaza Dr. Thaer Ahmad — Palestinian-American emergency physician from Chicago. ( family man/ Beautiful wife and kids) Dr. Mark Perlmutter — Jewish-American orthopedic surgeon from North Carolina. ( Unhinged/comical) Dr. Feroze Sidhwa — Zoroastrian-American trauma surgeon from California. (Sexy Voice/Reserved)

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JC

Aug 24

This is a heart-wrenching view of the genocide in Gaza through the eyes of three doctors who chose to go there to treat trauma patients while Palestinian and international health care workers are being actively targeted. It is horrific to see, but necessary to understand what American tax dollars are funding.

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wayne C

Aug 24

The stories of these Doctors in this situation captured by this Director is tremendously powerful. You’ll appreciate the doctor’s courage, but the amazing resilience inside the devastation by the Palestinian people is the true star of this film. Must see by the world!

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Lua W

@Lwells 8h

As Americans, we should know what our tax dollars are going towards - this is a true story, and it's shocking to see what's happening in Gaza.

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Poh Si Teng

Director

Thaer Ahmad

Self

Mark Perlmutter

Self

Feroze Sidhwa

Self

Ema Ryan Yamazaki

Film Editor

Suad Bushnaq

Original Music

American Doctor: Trailer 1

2:18

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Synopsis

AMERICAN DOCTOR is a vérité non-fiction film following three prominent physicians--Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian--friends who couldn't be more different but are bound by their shared oath to save lives. Dr. Thaer Ahmad is measured and strategic, Dr. Mark Perlmutter is blunt and wears his heart on his sleeve, and Dr. Feroze Sidhwa is media-savvy and prolific. Filmed in unfolding, on-the-ground scenes, the story follows them from a Gazan hospital under siege, to the halls of Congress. Together they fight to keep a promise to their Palestinian colleagues and patients, to continue the struggle where it matters most: the United States.

Director: Poh Si Teng
Producer: Poh Si Teng, Kirstine Barfod, Reem Haddad
Distributor: Watermelon Pictures
Production Co: Elk Film
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 14, 2026, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $41.1K
Runtime: 1h 33m

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