Close-Up (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

This is the second Iranian film that I've watched with the first one being also on this disc as the Special Feature bonus "The Traveler" which I actually enjoyed watching more than the main course. "Close-Up" isn't bad it's just that "The Traveler" moved me more and appears to be the overall better film. This Criterion Collection Blu-ray version of the film is a mixed bag. The picture quality is patchy with some frames looking really good on 1080p and the others not so good. The sound quality only comes in mono which isn't too bad given that this film is mostly dialogue-driven but still it would have been nice to have had surround sound options.The storyline is interesting though about a poor man who dares to dream outside of his current position in life resorting to escapism in the form of becoming a movie nut and imagining too deeply about being his own favourite movie director, Makhmalbaf, that when the chance came along to impersonate him, he decides to play along to see just how far he can get away with it. You sense that although he expressed remorse in court to escape jail-time his moment in the sun when he was able to fool people in a higher social status than him albeit for a short while that he was actually pleased that he was able to pull off the very thing that he had always dreamt of being which is a famous and good actor. He had that satisfied look that said that "I'm so poor there is nothing really worse that you can do to me but you cannot take away the fact I was able to act so well to get away with it for so long and to enjoy my 15 minutes of fame and now my life is complete!"This is a touching story and you can't help but root for the underdog and it shows the great gap between the rich and the poor and how despondent the poor can get when it seems no matter how hard they try they cannot break out of their realities except in the dream or fantasy world and for Sabzian at least for a while he had great difficulty distinguishing between the real and the unreal.Overall this is a good Criterion release seeing as how you get two feature films and while "Close-Up" is good I still liked "The Traveler" better.

Even those who know Farsi and don't need the subtitles could be disappointed by this film. Voted all-time #17 on the 2022 Sight & Sound list, together with other dubious choices, while the truly great "Children of Paradise" wasn't in the Top100, it even tied for #10 on their Directors list. About a guy with no film background who pretended to be another Iranian director, and maintained his deception with a family. The developments are predictable; the cinematography maybe the best they could do while trying to be discreet while shooting live. It's moderately interesting for those of us less familiar with Iranian society, but can't compare with Asghar Farhadi's "A Separation," which tells a compelling story that provides more insight into class differences in Iran. Not a film I would consider watching a second time, and probably not Kiarostami's best.

I had seen a reference to this film in another work and could not find a English subtitled version anywhere else. I was hesitant to purchase, as I knew very little about the movie, but I took the plunge and my goodness I'm glad I did! Interesting piece! I very much enjoyed it and hope you do too!

A film not to be missed! This is a different kind of love story—one where a film director whose identity was briefly stolen shows mercy on the man who impersonated him and helps his victims pardon him and embrace him. Singularly lovely, unique, and one of Iran’s best films ever!

This brilliant dramatic re-creation of an unusual case of criminal impersonation examines the conceits of cinema on one hand, but also the state of post-revolutionary Iranian society, where dire poverty and lack of opportunities can crush aspirations, artistic or otherwise. The writer-director, Abbas Kiarostami ("A Taste of Cherry"), read about Sabzian's predicament in a magazine article, decided to film the trial, and then asked everyone involved to play themselves. A fascinating mash-up of reality and artifice, "Close-Up" is a minor miracle of engaged storytelling whose compassionate final minutes will leave an indelible impression.

One of the best collections I have had so far. I suggest The Critiion Collction collet and publish other Kiarostami's films too particularly his short films . Because I f you want to know Kiarostami well and learn from him, you should watch his short films . Thank you

One has to be patient with this movie. You may find it a little boring at first, but it finally touches you in the end. I do not know the quality of the Criterion edition, but this one is o.k. if you consider about the price. Recommended.

This is a good movie for anyone interested in learning details about owls. Unlike some other owl movies I have seen, this one brings up the fact that they regurgitate their food into pellets.

korrekte Lieferung, gute qualität, werde weiterbestellen, filme wie sie eben aus dem iran sind,manchmal langatmig, aber so dargestellt wie ich den iran kenne

Un vrai film, constamment passionnant et constamment troublant par les personnages dont il s'approche et par la façon dont il les approche. A voir et à revoir. On en sort différent, on s'interroge. Les compléments sont précieux.

Magnifique film mais il faut etre capable de lire l'Anglais correctement car les sous titres sont en Anglais.Sachez-le ! cependant,ce film est si BEAU que l'effort vaut le coup.MERCI.

Pour qui, cinéphile enragé ou non, connait le réalisateur (et notamment son bouleversant "Le gout de la cerise"), il sera ravi de l'analyse de la mentalité actuelle des Iraniens sous cloche et des femmes sous voile, à travers un scénario très original : un réalisateur qu'on prend pour un autre et les confusions qui s'ensuivent, permettant les réactions de toutes les couches de la populations, du paysan à la famille aisée, des sbires du régime et ses odieux mollahs...Mais, mais dommage que l'analyse ne se traduise pas en image, en mise en scène, en film tout simplement, et non un arrangement documentaire...Pour être méchant et prétentieux comme un vilain prof, je dirais "Peut mieux faire"(un film, un 7ème art!)

Great! I got it on time , cheers.