ABOVE THE KNEE

***

Directed by Viljar Bøe.

Starring Freddy Singh, Julie Abrahamsen, Louise Waage Anda.

Psychological drama, Norway, 76 minutes.

Reviewed as part of FrightFest 2025 - UK Premiere

Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) is the rare mental condition where you feel that a perfectly healthy part of your body, or sense even, has to be removed from yourself to fit in with what you perceive as your true self. Director Viljar Bøe examines the rare condition in this sombre character piece that could not be any more different from the black comedy stylings of his previous film GOOD BOY.

Freddy Singh plays Amir, a young man who despite the trappings of a perfectly successful and ‘normal’ life fantasises about the loss of his lower left leg. Retreating to the basement whenever alone to sit in a contorted position in a wheelchair to paint self portraits of his mutilated self, Amir begins to devise a dangerous plan to remove the limb that he feels is a blight on his life. 

Although only 76 minutes long, Bøe still delivers a comprehensive look at a man in crisis in unflinching detail. Anger, guilt and above all a desire for what is essentially self-mutilation are examined here in a narrative that sets the clock ticking with a countdown to “the incident” that Amir is planning. BIID is also given another viewpoint from Rikke, a woman who pretends and wishes to be blind, much to the anger of those around her with the exception of Amir who begins to recognise a kindred spirit within her. Their somewhat illicit relationship threatens at times to speed up the film's slow burn pacing but it never really lets loose, leaving the film a somewhat dry affair with a deadly serious tone complimented by a complete lack of visual style or verve.

However, Singh’s performance keeps the audience gripped throughout in grim fascination to see if and how he will accomplish his greatest wish. While never sensationalistic, the film succeeds as a character study, especially with its sting in the tail ending.

Iain MacLeod