“Neither a documentary nor a drama but a provocative, unconventional merging of the two, a meditation on perplexities of justice, social inequity, and personal identity that also subtly interrogates the processes and purposes of cinema.” - Godfrey Cheshire, Criterion Collection
“The definitive film-on-film commentary.” - Ed Gonzalez, Slant
“Kiarostami's film has artichoke-like layers which, once peeled, are forever resonant.” - Michael Atkinson, Village Voice
Friday, February 7, 8:30 p.m. | Kiarostami uses real-life events as the basis for a stunning, multilayered investigation into cinema and identity. Blurring the line between documentary and fiction, CLOSE UP tells the story of Hossein Sabzian, who impersonates Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf to deceive a family into believing he is directing a movie, and that they will be the stars. As Sabzian’s story unfolds, Kiarostami weaves real footage with reenactments (using the real family members as actors, now, in a poetic move, indeed in a film). A revealing mediation on the intersection of life and art, CLOSE UP is arguably Kiarostami’s most revered title; and the filmmaker is arguably one our most revered: his work graces the Film Center screens on an almost-yearly basis.
Awards & Nominations
Winner - Best Film, Montréal Festival of New Cinema
Winner - FIPRESCI Prize, Istanbul Film Festival
Festival of Films from Iran: For the 36th year of our Festival of Films from Iran, we’re taking the opportunity to look back at some of the highlights of Iranian cinema we’ve presented at the Film Center—during the festival and year round— in the last 36 years. Read more
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu