Armless

Director: Habib Azar
Screenwriters: Kyle Jarrow

Institute History

  • 2010 Sundance Film Festival

Description

For years, John, an insurance executive living in the suburbs, has secretly wanted to have his arms chopped off. Finally, he gathers the courage to leave his loving wife, Anna, and travel to the city to find a physician willing to amputate. When Anna’s mother-in-law (in an attempt to calm her down) convinces Anna that John is simply having an affair, Anna becomes enraged and determines to find John—and cut off his balls.

So begins director Habib Azar’s delightful debut feature Armless, a deliciously twisted romp of comedic drama filled with mistaken identities, missed chances, and revealing consequences. Azar deftly crafts a thoughtful, off-kilter farce out of Kyle Jarrow’s tautly written play by the same name. Armless offers a dark, philosophical fable about marriage and acceptance—speaking to those who fake it and still make it, and perhaps especially to those who want to change but still stay the same.


(Archives note: see also YouTube Channel.)

— Shari Frilot

Screening Details

Credits

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