Reviews of Close-Up
Displaying all 2 reviews
asuraf
22Aug10
In a remarkably complex bit of stunt film-making, Iranian master Abbas Kiarostami re-stages the trial of Hossain Sabzian, a poor worker who passes himself off as a famous film director for seemingly unknown reasons, and straddles a nearly invisible line between reality, perception, entertainment, and the art of cinema itself. That all of the principal characters play themselves, with Kiarostami himself serving as an off-screen documentary presence, with re-creations cut into grainy footage of what looks like the original trial, makes it all the more confusing, but fascinating and unique.
Criterion has done an admirable job of re-releasing this borderline great film on Blu-ray, complete with two documentaries and a new interview with the director, a commentary track by Kiarostami scholars, and the director’s 1974 feature debut, “The Traveler”.
- Currently 5.0/5 Stars.
All Is Grace
5Mar10
How can I describe this masterpiece? I’ve spent so much time in my life till now, watching different movies from different countries, never thought I would be moved by a film from my very own region. This movie is psychological, this movie is about society issues, this movie looks like a documentary and at the same time, it’s no documentary. This movie can help you understand that what people do is not to be judged so easily. This movie slaps you in the face about not forgetting what it means to live in a society which citizens are walking lies, because they can’t follow their dreams, and when they want to be themselves, they are perceived as liars. It reminds you how we all look down on someone because he doesn’t hold a college degree, or he’s not a celebrity, or because he’s dealing with poverty, not ever thinking that he’s human too. Do we ever realize, maybe it’s all of us who are responsible for such sick society? This movie can make you a film maker, it can make you a human, it can make you deeper. Close-up is genre-less. It never tries to teach you anything or evoke certain emotions, you’re free to imagine and decide. This movie mixes fiction and reality, to the point that you can’t see the differences between lies and truths, to get to the biggest truth that we’re all looking for in heavens not knowing it’s here, within us: Human compassion.
- Currently 5.0/5 Stars.