Close-Up

“I Only Find Peace In Those Films.”   - Hossein Sabzian -  “Close-Up” by Abbas Kiarostami is a masterpiece.The movie is intertwined between documentaries and novels. Kiarostami was actually allowed to film the scene in the trial and it was a completely real scene, which surprised me because it was like a scene in a movie—but in reality, it was not fiction at all, but a completely real moment. This is a truly unique and profound movie, showing us the inner person of Sabzian and the whole story. The characters have really played themselves, which is extremely unique and contributes to their self-expression. Sabzian has, in a way, fulfilled his desire to play his own role. He becomes a symbol of the desire to be recognized—poor and unknown, yet possessing a strong love for art. He did not deny the crime, but asked the court to “consider my love of art.” Kiarostami shows that art is not a lie, but a way for people to interpret their pain and despair. Cinema, in this sense, becomes like a human court—where people confess, are forgiven, and are perceived with empathy. The scene at the end of the movie is very true to the Kiarostami style, allowing us to see real life.In short, “Close-Up” is not merely a story—it is a meditation on the love of cinema, the power of cinema, and the human desire for recognition. Kiarostami does not tell stories, he listens.He allows the characters to speak for themselves, and through this, the film becomes not only authentic, but profoundly moving.