One of the most interesting public debates between two leading intellectuals, the Noam Chomsky - Michel Foucault debate is one of the best and most representative of its kind. Held in the Eindhoven Institute of Technology in the Netherlands in 1971 and hosted by Dutch philosopher Fons Elders the discussion has the host opening a topic with each man giving his opinion then responded to by the other. Chomsky and Foucault discuss and debate on human nature, society and politics with the calm and articulate Chomsky being a contrast to the voluble and scatterbrained Foucault. Amusing and awkward scenarios occur like when Foucault scolds the host for asking "personal" questions and Chomsky being bemused by the flawed diatribes of Foucault. Chomsky comes off as the clear winner here with his direct and humane approach to life appearing mature and smarter next to Foucault's barely comprehensible and cynical Marxist-driven arguments. At the end of the debate members of the audience were allowed to ask the debaters questions. The only bump in the film is the narrator who commentates on the debate and summarizes parts. It would have been better if the debate was left to speak for itself. Fascinating and historical this is a memorable event on the power and scope of the human mind and its important and incalculable influence on man and the development of his world around him.
