Close-Up

It was a struggle to peel my eyes away from Sabzian and focus on the subtitles. I felt an inexplicable resonance with him, as if I were sitting by a river with my feet dipped in, gazing into this clear river — so clear that I could see all the fish swimming by. His presence was that transparent and natural. I had no prior knowledge that the film was based on a true story, so upon discovering afterwards that the courtroom scenes were real, the vulnerable and raw innocence made so much sense! This is the kind of movie that stays with you long after it ends, truly beautiful.