ABOVE THE KNEE
WORLD PREMIERE / RELEASED IN: 2024 / 76 MINUTES / DIRECTED BY: VILJAR BØE
Norwegian filmmaker Viljar Bøe brings his psychological thriller ABOVE THE KNEE to Beyond Fest 2024. The film follows Amir, a man who has a rare psychological disorder called BID (Body Integrity dysmorphia). It is the desire to have a sensory or physical disability or discomfort with being able-bodied.
The film is one of the most anxiety-inducing watches I’ve experienced in a long time. Amir has to hide his plans from his longtime living girlfriend, Kim. He also uses his friend, Jonas, as a cover, taking advantage of his kindness.
His accelerated timeline and subsequent countdown appear on the screen. With each passing day, Amir’s visions of the gnarly deterioration of his leg haunt us, and so does his gross manipulation of those who care for him most.
His only outlet is Rikke, a woman whose own BID diagnosis manifests as self-induced blindness. As his accomplice, she offers him emotional and physical support and lines are easily blurred.
An incredibly effective transition device is the jarring image of a bloodied saw accompanied by viscerally augmented audio of cutting. This image repeats from slightly different angles and undeniably induces a shiver each time.
The one hour and twelve on my minute runtime is more than enough, with Viljar Bøe carefully crafted script. The film is based on a story concept by Bøe and leading man Freddy Singh. Singh delivers an award-worthy turn, existing a in morally gray area. ABOVE THE KNEE takes us into the darkest corners of the mind, boasting a shockingly sinister finale. You won’t be the same.
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Viljar Bøe
CAST: Freddy Singh, Julie Abrahamsen, Louise Waage Anda, Viggo Solomon
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HEADS OR FAILS
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Jack Greig
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BURN OUT
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MISSING
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US Narrative Competition
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