American Doctor
Directed by Poh Si Teng
Starring Mark Perlmutter, Thaer Ahmad, Feroze Sidhwa
2026 | Documentary | 1h 33m | United States · Palestine · Malaysia · Qatar
In August 2025, four authors published in The Lancet medical journal an article entitled “Break the selective silence on the genocide in Gaza”. Silence is not an option, they said. [Roberto De Vogli, Jonathan Montomoli, Ghassan Abu-Sittah, Ilan Pappé]
In American Doctor, three American doctors answer the call for medical assistance in Occupied Palestine, where hospitals and health workers were still under siege. They were filmed and interviewed as they got to know their new colleagues under battlefield conditions. This is the story of their experience as they operated on citizens without adequate painkillers, antibiotics, or hospital equipment.
Mark Perlmutter is Jewish and based in North Carolina. Thaer Ahmad is Muslim and based in Illinois. Feroze Sidhwa was born to Pakistani parents of Zoroastrian faith; he lives and works in California. All are American citizens and trained physicians. They met for the first time in Gaza.
Director Poh Si Teng had worked as a journalist and was shocked by the death toll during this conflict. Looking for a way to tell this story, she talked with Dr. Perlmutter, and decided to let the camera focus on the surgeons.
WATCH: AMERICAN DOCTOR | Official Trailer (TIFF)
This is a quiet documentary, except for explosions in the distance from aerial strikes. Rarely have we seen how medical personnel function in war zones. The remarkable focus of the surgeons, the gratitude of local medical staff, the patience of wounded citizens who have nowhere else to go, sitting or lying on the floor waiting for triage.
Between surgeries, Dr. Perlmutter is on the phone and laptop, Dr. Ahmad places a small rug for afternoon prayer, Dr. Sidhwa checks facts and figures about what they see. Sharing of information over simple meals. A medical student translates for the few staff who do not speak English.
The nature of the wounds, the prevalence of injured children, the lack of nutrition available to citizens: all of this reality influences the care that the American doctors are able to give.
Gradually their conversations shift to why this is happening, who is responsible, why the rules of war are being violated, and how much American complicity is involved.
By day the doctors spend hours in surgery. At night they communicate with their Palestinian colleagues and their families back home, and ponder solutions.
When surgeons speak, one tends to listen. Their observations and conclusions have drawn national attention. This documentary received praise at Sundance, at the San Francisco International Film Festival and the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival earlier this year. The doctors want Americans to see this film to understand what is happening and why.
Safely back in the United States, these three surgeons have spoken as a group and individually to members of Congress, to Jewish Voice for Peace, and to many community groups.
When surgeons speak, one tends to listen.
They also spoke with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now! on August 14, 2026. Dr. Ahmad said in that interview: “It’s on us to make sure that their stories are told.” A reference to the thousands of Palestinians who have become invisible on the international stage.
A memorable tribute to those who serve humanity in war zones, such as Doctors Without Borders, despite the danger to themselves. It is recommended that you see this documentary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is American Doctor about?
American Doctor follows three American physicians, Dr. Mark Perlmutter, Dr. Thaer Ahmad and Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, as they volunteer at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, and then return to the United States to speak out about what they witnessed.
Who are the doctors in American Doctor?
Dr. Mark Perlmutter is a Jewish American orthopedic surgeon from North Carolina. Dr. Thaer Ahmad is a Palestinian American emergency physician from Chicago. Dr. Feroze Sidhwa is a trauma surgeon from California of Pakistani Parsi (Zoroastrian) heritage.
Who directed American Doctor?
American Doctor is the directorial debut of Malaysian American journalist and filmmaker Poh Si Teng, whose producing credits include the Oscar-nominated short St. Louis Superman.
Where did American Doctor premiere?
American Doctor premiered in the U.S. Documentary Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2026, and also screened at SXSW, CPH:DOX, Hot Docs (Audience Award), the San Francisco International Film Festival and the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival.
Where can I watch American Doctor?
Watermelon Pictures released American Doctor in U.S. and Canadian theaters on August 14, 2026.
How long is American Doctor?
American Doctor runs 93 minutes.
AMERICAN DOCTOR: FURTHER VIEWING AND RESOURCES
