Watch Imber's Left Hand

Imber's Left Hand is a gripping documentary that chronicles the life and works of Jon Imber, a celebrated American painter who was diagnosed with the fatal disease ALS in 2012. The documentary captures his life-affirming journey as he continues to create art – despite the disease that gradually paralyzes his body. Directed by Richard Kane and produced by Melody London, Imber's Left Hand is an intimate look at the life of Jon Imber, from his early beginnings as an artist to his struggle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The film explores the challenges that come with living with a disease that slowly takes away a person's ability to move, speak, and create.

The documentary features a collection of interviews with Imber's family, friends, and colleagues, discussing his life and work as an artist. The director also captures Imber's artistic process, showing how he continues to paint using his left hand – his non-dominant hand – as his right hand gradually deteriorates due to the disease.

Imber's Left Hand takes us through a range of emotions as we witness the incredible resilience of Imber as he navigates through the disease. We see him continuing to paint despite the obstacles he faces, and we get a glimpse of how his work evolves over time as he adapts to his changing physical abilities. The film captures both the technical and emotional aspects of Imber's work – from the brushstrokes to the philosophical underpinnings of his art.

One of the film's key strengths is the way it portrays ALS, a devastating disease that few people understand fully. The documentary shows the day-to-day struggles of living with ALS, the toll it takes on the body, and the emotional impact it has on the patient and their loved ones. Through Imber's story, we learn about the physical and emotional pain of dealing with this debilitating disease.

The film also highlights the profound impact of Imber's art on his life and legacy. His paintings reflect his struggle with ALS and his will to create, even when facing incredible adversity. We see Imber's art evolve as he is forced to adapt to his changing physical limitations, resulting in a new style that is both moving and inspiring.

Overall, Imber's Left Hand is a powerful and poignant film that documents the life and work of a talented artist who refused to give up on his passion despite facing significant challenges. The documentary celebrates Imber's resilience and creativity, while also offering a sobering reflection on the challenges of living with ALS. Through Imber's story, we see the transformative power of art and the remarkable capacity of the human spirit to overcome adversity.

Imber's Left Hand is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.