Close-Up

Name: Close-Up
Genre: Biography, Drama, Crime
Released: December 31, 1999
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 92
Cast: Abolfazl Ahankhah, Ahmad Reza Moayed Mohseni, Hooshang Shamaei, Hossain Farazmand, Hossain Sabzian

1999

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 29 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 29 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Janus Films | Release Date: December 31, 1999 | Not Rated

Starring: Abolfazl Ahankhah, Ahmad Reza Moayed Mohseni, Hooshang Shamaei, Hossain Farazmand, Hossain Sabzian, Mahrokh Ahankhah, Mehrdad Ahankhah, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Monoochehr Ahankhah, Nayer Mohseni Zonoozi

Summary: This fiction-documentary hybrid uses a real-life sensational event - a young man arrested on charges that he fraudulently impersonated well-known filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf - as the basis for a stunning, multi-layered investigation into movies, identity, artistic creation, and life itself. With its universal themes and fascinatingThis fiction-documentary hybrid uses a real-life sensational event - a young man arrested on charges that he fraudulently impersonated well-known filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf - as the basis for a stunning, multi-layered investigation into movies, identity, artistic creation, and life itself. With its universal themes and fascinating narrative knots, Close-Up continues to resonate with viewers around the world. [Janus Films]… Expand

Director: Abbas Kiarostami

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Crime

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 98 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Noel Murray

From the outset, the director lets us know that this won’t be some sensationalistic crime story. Close-Up is more about the power of images, and how what’s on the screen at any given moment can hold our attention completely, even if it has nothing to do with “the story.” Read full review

100

Ed Gonzalez

Call it what you will (documentary, mockumentary, self-fulfilling prophecy), Close-Up is still the definitive film-on-film commentary. Read full review

100

Josh Larsen

Does Close-Up reveal the truth? I’d prefer to say it reveals the beauty of distortion. Read full review

The Independent Chris Darke

Close-Up is two films in one, a hugely skilful work of cinematic origami about doubles and doubling.

Stephen Holden

It is Mr. Sabzian's poignancy that makes "Close-Up" much more than a clever reflection on film-versus-life as an endless hall of mirrors. Read full review

Richard Brody

In Kiarostami’s furiously clear view, religious dogma suppresses the eye’s observations through the dictate of the word; his calmly unwavering images, with their wry humor and generous sympathy, have the force of a steadfast resistance. Read full review

John Hartl

"There's nothing about this place worth filming," insists one character, but Kiarostami always comes up with something: a Tati-like scene in which a canister rolls down a street, all but waiting to be kicked, and several exotic glimpses of urban life, including a turkey salesman who carries a couple of unplucked birds through the Tehran streets. [26 Feb 1999]

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User Reviews

seancriswell

Jan 21, 2013

Really enjoyed this film. This is my second Kiarostami film and what strikes me most about his movies is the way he weaves intrigue into very simple plots and dialogue. The intrigue in Close Up is far and away the strength of this film. The visuals and acting are not particular strong orReally enjoyed this film. This is my second Kiarostami film and what strikes me most about his movies is the way he weaves intrigue into very simple plots and dialogue. The intrigue in Close Up is far and away the strength of this film. The visuals and acting are not particular strong or weak, so Kiarostami keeps your interest by never giving you too much of the story at once, but by giving you small bites that eventually lead up to a pretty satisfying whole.… Expand

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