American Doctor is a revealing documentary that examines the dire state of Gaza’s healthcare system under Israeli assault. The film premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on January 23. It captures the journey of three American surgeons on medical missions to the Palestinian territory, focusing on their efforts to treat wounded civilians.
Director Poh Si Teng, orthopedic surgeon Mark Perlmutter, and Palestinian American emergency medicine physician Thaer Ahmad discussed their documentary with Morning Edition. They highlighted the challenges faced by doctors treating injured Palestinians amidst bombardments and a shortage of supplies.
The documentary follows the American doctors, not only during their time in Gaza but also as they return home to share their experiences. Israel has restricted international journalists from accessing Gaza, limiting independent reporting throughout the conflict.
The film begins with a poignant scene in North Carolina, where Teng converses with Perlmutter. He shows her a distressing photo of six deceased Palestinian children. Despite Teng’s initial inclination to conceal or pixelate the image, after Perlmutter insisted on its inclusion, the image is shown, setting a somber tone.
In an interview, Teng emphasized the struggle to strike a balance between showing reality and respecting the dignity of the deceased and their families. Perlmutter and Ahmad recounted the overwhelming mass casualty events faced daily in Gaza, with an insufficient room and resources to treat numerous patients arriving simultaneously.
Ahmad described the blockade and lack of essentials like food, medicine, and water exacerbating the healthcare crisis. Perlmutter articulated the challenge of treating predominantly young patients, noting he had performed numerous amputations under challenging conditions, often without anesthesia.
Perlmutter asserted that the scarcity of medical supplies in Gaza is intentional under Israeli dual-use policies. Upon entering Gaza, necessary equipment he carried, even for personal use, was confiscated due to restrictions on items possibly used in militant activities. Human rights groups reported the confiscation of vital items like incubators and ventilators.
Palestinian cinematographers captured the scenes in Gaza. Outside Gaza and back in the U.S., Teng filmed Perlmutter, Ahmad, and trauma surgeon Feroze Sidhwa discussing their observations with the press, public, and Congressional members.
Teng noted the significant military support provided by the U.S. to Israel, implying potential influence over the situation in Gaza. She stressed the importance of depicting the doctors’ experiences facing criticism from Congress and the media.
American Doctor is now playing in select U.S. theaters. The digital version was produced by Majd Al-Waheidi.