Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Close-up Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 21, 2010

Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami's "Nema-ye Nazdik" a.k.a "Close-up" (1990) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc include an audio commentary with Iranian filmmaker Mehrnaz Saeed-Vafa and American film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum; an exclusive video interview with Abbas Kiarostami; the short film "The Traveler" (1974); "Close-up" Long Shot; and the documentary feature "A Walk with Kiarostami". The disc also arrives with a 16-page illustrated booklet. In Farsi, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Ali Sabzian - In love with Cinema and Art

Abbas Kiarostami’s Close-up tells the true story of a poor Iranian man, Ali Sabzian, who was arrested during the late 80s for impersonating famous director Mohsen Makhmalbaf. Sabzian managed to convince the members of a middle-class family from Tehran that he was getting ready to shoot a new film for which their home was the perfect location. He then proceeded to borrow money from the family, which he needed to cover some personal expenses. Eventually, a local journalist helped the family realize that they were cheated, and Sabzian was thrown in jail.

Kiarostami learned about Sabzian’s case and decided to film it after he received a permission from the local authorities to record his trial. After consulting with Kiarostami, the cheated family members also agreed to recreate everything that took place between them and Sabzian.

Close-up is effectively divided into two halves. The first shows the events leading to Sabzian’s arrest, while the second focuses on his trial. During both there are numerous interviews with Sabzian and members of the family. Some of the initial discussions between Kiarostami and the judge who presided over Sabzian’s case are also included in the film.

Despite documenting a true story, however, Close-up is not a standard documentary film. During key parts of it the fine line between truth and fiction is effectively blurred. Often times, for example, raw documentary footage overlaps with footage that was obviously filmed after the end of Sabzian’s trial, with Kiarostami placing a stronger emphasis on the actual filming process rather than the events his film documents.

Sabzian’s confession during the trial is fascinating. He carefully explains why he impersonated Makhmalbaf and what he attempted to accomplish - apparently, he wished to experience the type of respect and appreciation many famous film directors enjoy. He also talks about his love for cinema and art, indirectly criticizing the Iranian society’s dismissive attitude towards both.

Kiarostami does not take a side in the trial. Instead, he carefully observes the event from afar, which is, arguably, what makes Close-up such a fascinating film to behold. The logic behind many of the statements that are produced during the trial, for instance, is deeply disturbing, as is the genuine desire of some ordinary Iranians to punish each other when they discover that a few amongst them dare to dream impossible dreams.

Close-up ends on a positive note. After the cheated family realizes that Sabzian is not a true criminal, they drop their charges and he walks away. Outside of the courtroom, Sabzian meets the man he wanted to be, director Makhmalbaf, and they leave together. Later on, at the house of those who had him arrested, he asks for forgiveness.

A few years after the release of Close-up, Kiarostami went on to win the prestigious Palme d’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival with his deeply poetic Taste of Cherry (1997). Since then, his films have been screened at numerous festivals around the world, including the Venice Film Festival, the Locarno International Film Festival, and the Chicago International Film Festival, among others.

Close-up Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Abbas Kiarostami's Close-up arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The following text appears in the booklet provided with this Blu-ray disc:

"This new high-definition transfer was created on a Spirit Datacine from a 35mm print made from the original camera negative. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, warps, jitter, and flicker were manually removed using MTI's DRS system and Pixel Farm's PFClean system, while Digital Vision's DVNR system was used for small dirt, grain, and noise reduction. Additional restoration was performed with the help of Reliance Mediaworks and its proprietary software."

This is a very strong high-definition transfer. Aside from inherited random minor flecks, scratches and cuts that pop up here and there, the high-definition transfer represents a major upgrade over Facets Video's old R1 SDVD release of the film. Fine object detail, especially early into the film, is excellent. Clarity and contrast levels are also convincing. The color-scheme does not disappoint either - yellows, greens, blues, browns and blacks look natural. The film's grain structure is also intact. Furthermore, neither edge-enhancement no macroblocking are a serious issues of concern. Excluding some minor fluctuations during the documentary footage from the trial, there are no serious stability issues either. All in all, this is a very strong and much needed upgrade of an important film. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).

Close-up Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: Farsi LPCM Mono. For the record, Criterion have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.

The Farsi LPCM track is pleasing. Generally speaking, the dialog is clean, stable and easy to follow. There is some minor background hissing that is present during selected scenes, mostly likely inherited from the 35mm soundtrack print, but there are no serious technical deficiencies to report in this review. The English translation is of exceptionally high quality.

Close-up Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Commentary - an audio commentary, recorded exclusively for Criterion in 2009, with Iranian filmmaker Mehrnaz Saeed-Vafa and American film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum. There is an abundance of excellent information in this commentary addressing not only the unique structure and message of Close-up, but also the socio-political environment in Iran before and after the film was made. Mr. Rosenbaum's comments on Abbas Kiarostami's career as a filmmaker are also terrific.

The Traveler - this film, which the main protagonist in Close-up refers to, was made by Abbas Kiarostami in 1974, and tells the story of a young soccer fan who goes on a unusual trip to see his favorite team. In Farsi, with optional English subtitles. B&W. (74 min, 1080i).

"Close-up" Long Shot - a fascinating film about the principal character in Close-up, Hossein Sabzian. In Farsi, with optional English subtitles. Color. (44 min, 1080i).

Abbas Kiarostami - an exclusive video interview, shot in Marrakech, with Abbas Kiarostami. Here the director discusses Close-up and the impact the film had on his evolution as filmmaker. In Farsi, with optional English subtitles. (28 min, 1080i).

A Walk with Kiarostami - a documentary, shot over the course of two days in 2001, in Galway, Ireland, where Abbas Kiarostami presented a masterclass as part of the annual Galway Film Fleadh. In Farsi, with imposed English subtitles. (32 min, 1080i).

Booklet - a 16-page illustrated booklet containing Godfrey Cheshire's essay "Prison and Escape".

Close-up Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Criterion have put together a competent package for Abbas Kiarostami's thought-provoking Close-up. The distributors have also included the director's intriguing short film The Traveler. Let's hope that Abbas Kiarostami's award-winning Taste of Cherry and The Wind Will Carry Us are not too far behind either. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.