Hostoey of Cinema 4/7

Announcements and Subtitles Issue

• Many students reported watching a film without subtitles, leading to confusion about its content.
• Subtitles Control: Discuss how to activate subtitles on the Canopy platform:
  • Locate the subtitles button.
  • Choose the English subtitle option.
• Impressive Student Adaptability: Recognition of students who watched the entire film without subtitles shows remarkable endurance.

Kiarostami and Iranian Cinema

• Abbas Kiarostami: Prominent Iranian director, known for his contribution to cinema, especially during the revolutionary period in Iran.
• Docufiction Genre:
  • A blend of documentary and fiction; significant in Iranian cinema during the 80s and 90s.
  • International success helped popularize this genre.
• Background of Iranian Film Pre-Revolution:
  • Coup d'état in 1953 installed the Shah, fostering Westernization in Iran.
  • Progressive reforms initiated before the 1979 revolution, which overthrew the Shah.

The Iranian Revolution

• Key Contributors: Coalition of left-wing and right-wing groups against the Shah.
  • The revolution led to the rise of a conservative Islamist regime under Ayatollah Khomeini.
  • This transition involved a significant societal shift, rolling back many liberal reforms.
• Complex Nature of the Revolution: Examining alliances, struggles, and the role of artists and intellectuals during the regime change.

Kiarostami's Filmography and Style

• Post-revolution works reflect a shift in tone and subject matter:
  • Films like Where Is the Friend’s Home? from the Coker Trilogy emphasize small, poignant stories.
• Close-Up (1990): Explores themes of identity, deception, and the significance of cinema.
  • Utilizes factual events intermingled with dramatized recreations.

Themes in Close-Up

• Reality vs. Fiction: The film interrogates notions of what constitutes reality within cinema.
• Duality of Character Portrayals: Characters perform their real identities while also acting scripted roles, which blurs the line between truth and performance.
• Courtroom Dynamics: The trial scenes demonstrate the performative aspects of truth in a judicial context, questioning the integrity of legal proceedings.

Artistic and Social Implications

• Cinematic Representation: Kiarostami’s portrayal of marginalized individuals like Sabzian raises questions about representation in cinema and its potential advocacy for social justice.
• Directorial Influence: Kiarostami's role in shaping the narrative and dialogue during filming raises ethical questions regarding authorial influence over real-life scenarios.
• Public Reception: The differing perceptions of characters and events highlight the subjective nature of storytelling in both film and reality.

Concluding Thoughts

• Close-Up serves as an essential text for understanding the intersection of life and cinema, encouraging viewers to reflect on broader social issues, artistic representation, and the fluidity of truth within reality and film.