AllMovie

Poignant and revelatory, IMBER’S LEFT HAND (2014, 74 mins) is an award-winning documentary that chronicles the life and career of celebrated American painter and Harvard professor Jon Imber. After being diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), he remained determined to continue his work as an artist despite his condition. With the loving support of his wife, painter Jill Hoy, Imber learned to paint with his left hand, and eventually with both hands held together at his waist. As the disease claimed his body, the film sensitively observes the artist, capturing him at his most courageous and humorous. Director Richard Kane follows Imber’s heroic resolve, which led to the creation of more than 100 portraits in an incredible four month span. Knowing what his fate held, Imber truly showed what it was to live and die through art. IMBER’S LEFT HAND has won audience awards for Best Film at the Boston Jewish Film Festival, the New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival and the Hamptons Take 2 Documentary Film Festival, among others.