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# Three Questions for the 'American Doctor' Palestine Film Day Panel at Prytania Canal Place
- URL: https://www.moviegoingwithbill.com/american-doctor-questions-prytania/
- Published: 2026-09-04T14:58:55.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-04T14:58:55.000Z
- Description: A profound film deserves query.
- Author: Bill Arceneaux
- Tags: Hollywood South

## Dear Moviegoers,

Three doctors, working and thinking together in unbreakable unity, are featured in the stirring documentary *American Doctor*, about the strength and, unfortunately, the political nature of practicing medicine during an ongoing genocide. Right from the beginning, director Poh Si Teng is confronted with a bang, not from a bomb but from a question of victim dignity and "journalistic malpractice." Ultimately, she answers righteously, if timidly, by showing a photograph of dead Palestinian children, as one of the doctors had requested. He witnessed the atrocity firsthand, and now it must be shared with the world.

On September 4th, 2026, Prytania Theatres at Canal Place in New Orleans will begin screening this document(ary), and will [initially present it in a showing](https://www.theprytania.com/movies/american-doctor-2026-2?location=prytania-at-canal-place&locationKey=5&ref=moviegoingwithbill.com) from the regional programming group [Palestine Film Day](https://www.instagram.com/palestinefilmday/?ref=moviegoingwithbill.com), where they'll have a panel discussion and Q&A. While director Si Teng won't be in attendance, nor will any of the depicted doctors, the panel will nonetheless likely deliver a great conversation.

The film itself, while focusing more on thought and testimony than on violent visuals of relentless bombing and gunfire from the Israeli army on civilians, medical personnel, and journalists - though it can't be avoided, and shouldn't be - is pretty damn damning of our various leaderships and institutions, and how doctors have to leave their work just to advocate for their patients and the mounting number of victims. *American Doctor* is about courage, sure, and shame too. And the weight of guilt carried by those who do so much, contrasted with the indifference and cold cowardice of those in a position to do more but refuse.

Charged with the electric intensity of confrontation, I can only offer up the idealistic suggestion that the film be screened on the sides of buildings throughout Washington D.C., in a viral shot at making elected officials, any of them, even only one, view some of it. Of course, this is dependent on Congress being in town and on the job at all. I don't know. 

For the Palestine Film Day panel, I ask:

**What** can be done to reach more people in America with this or any alternative movie about what's happening in Gaza?

**Is** there a line between filmmaker and documentarian - fiction or non-fiction - when it comes to journalism?

**Can** cinema really win hearts and minds?

Empathy machines, I hope so.

## Sincerely Yours in Moviegoing,

## ⚜️🍿