“Alone and Back in His Social Class:” A Close-Up of Political Economy in the Film Industry

Indianapolis, IN

This film analysis explores Abbas Kiarostaomi'sClose-Up(1990), a film about a cinephile who steals a famous director's identity. While dominant ideologies are consistently reproduced, this film depicts the influence of the traditional Hollywood model and the disadvantages the poor and working class experience in regard to creating art due to lack of access. Through political economy and existing hierarchies in the film industry, Close-Up offers a critique of the intersections of storytelling and owning-class power.