Close-Up

Ten years after its filming, this Iranian film is finally making it to American movie theaters. Directred by Abbas Kiarostami (Taste of Cherry, Through the Olive Trees), this film comes with generous praise by critics who hail it as one of the best films of the just-passed decade.

Written, edited and directed by Abbas Kiarostami; director of photography, Ali Reza Zarrin-Dast; produced by the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults; released by Zeitgeist Films. In Farsi, with English subtitles. Running time: 90 minutes. This film is not rated.

WITH: Hossain Sabzian, Mohsen Makhmalbaf and Abbas Kiarostami (Themselves), Abolfazl Ahankhah (Father), Mehrdad Ahankhah and Manoochehr Ahankhah (Sons), Mahrokh Ahankhah and Nayer Mohseni Zonoozi (Daughters), Ahmed Reza Moayed Mohseni (Friend) and Hossain Farazmand (Reporter).

Reviews

The New York Times
"A transcendent humanist in the tradition of the Italian neo-realists and the Indian director Satyajit Ray, Mr. Kiarostami has made a film that looks into the heart of a man accused of a crime and, instead of evil, discovers only sweetness, longing and a sad confusion."

On Screen
"Granted, Close-Up's incredibly slow pace proves that it definitely does issue from the same man who gave us such real-time snore classics as Where is the Friend's Home? and ...And Life Goes On. But in this case, the premise and content far outweigh the presentation. If you can keep awake long enough to appreciate them."

Mr. Showbiz
"Close-Up is relatively simple in its conception and execution, yet bottomlessly complex in its intent and intelligence — indeed, it barely qualifies as a "movie" in any traditional sense. Kiarostami is rewriting the rules, if only we'd listen."

More

Close-Up at Zeitgeist Films
Some links, quotes, pictures, as well as a synopsis.

Close-Up at the IMDb
Always a fine resource.