Close-Ups

The film follows the real-life story of Hossein Sabzian, a man who impersonated the famous Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf and deceived several people into believing he was the director. When his deception is uncovered, he is put on trial. The film blurs the lines between documentary and fiction as it recounts the events, exploring themes of identity, art, and the nature of cinema itself.

Close-Ups is widely acclaimed by critics for its profound exploration of cinematic art and identity. Reviewers lauded Abbas Kiarostami's innovative approach, blending reality and fiction to create a thought-provoking and deeply human story. It is often cited as a masterpiece of Iranian cinema and a significant work in Kiarostami's filmography.

• A masterful and self-reflexive examination of cinema, identity, and truth.

• Kiarostami's innovative use of reenactment and real-life subjects is deeply compelling.

• A profound and ultimately empathetic look at a man's desperate search for recognition.

Google audience: Audiences generally praise the film's unique narrative structure and its ability to provoke thought about the nature of filmmaking and celebrity. Many appreciate the film's emotional depth and the way it humanizes its subject, despite his deception.

Won awards at the Locarno International Film Festival (Silver Leopard), Porto International Film Festival, and was nominated for numerous other international awards.

The film's entire narrative is based on a real court case in Iran, and the characters are played by the actual people involved in the events, including the real Hossein Sabzian and the real Mohsen Makhmalbaf, who appears as himself.