How One Film Transformed Martin Scorsese’s Thinking

For Martin Scorsese, the film that had a profound impact on him wasn’t one of his own, but Abbas Kiarostami’s Close-Up.

Released in 1990, the same year Scorsese unveiled Goodfellas, Close-Up blends documentary and fiction to tell the story of Hossein Sabzian, a man who impersonated Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf to con a family out of money.

The film is unique because it mixes real-life footage with reenactments, and Sabzian plays himself in many of the scenes.

Reflecting on the movie in a 2006 interview with Raffaele Donato, Scorsese said, “A lot of that film was staged, but brilliantly—in many scenes, you have absolutely no idea that it’s planned or acted, because Kiarostami is so attuned to the situation of this man, Sabzian, and his obsession with Makhmalbaf and with movies.”

He continued, “You must see this film, it’s on DVD. Kiarostami, an Iranian film. It hit me just as strongly as the first time…I can’t say for the first time because I was five years old when I saw neorealist films for the first time, but, it has that emotional impact, I feel.”

Close-Up was written, directed, and edited by Kiarostami. It documents Sabzian’s attempt to convince the Ahankhah family that he was making a movie with them.

Kiarostami filmed the actual trial, with the people involved re-enacting events leading up to it. The film is considered a landmark in cinema, earning international recognition for Kiarostami and a place in Sight & Sound’s 2022 critics’ poll as the 17th greatest film of all time.

While initial reviews in Iran were negative, critics abroad praised the movie. Stephen Holden of The New York Times called it “brilliant,” highlighting its blend of reality and reconstruction. Dennis Lim of the Los Angeles Times described it as “eloquent and direct, providing a window into the psyche of a complicated man and into the social and cultural reality of Iran.”

The film influenced many filmmakers and artists. In 1996, Moslem Mansouri and Mahmoud Chokrollahi made the documentary Close-Up Long Shot, exploring Sabzian’s obsession with cinema and his life after working with Kiarostami. Italian director Nanni Moretti also paid homage with his short Opening Day of Close-Up. In 2007, Swedish musicians The Tough Alliance recreated scenes from the film in a music video.

Sadly, Hossein Sabzian passed away in 2006 at the age of 52 after a heart attack. Despite this, his story and Kiarostami’s groundbreaking film continue to inspire filmmakers worldwide.

Close-Up is a brilliant example of how storytelling can blur the line between reality and fiction. Scorsese’s admiration shows the movie’s power, and it’s a reminder of how films can deeply influence even the most accomplished directors. What do you think about the impact of Close-Up on cinema? Share your thoughts in the comments.