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Close-Up is a critically acclaimed Iranian film that is based on the true story of a man named Hossain Sabzian, who impersonated the famous Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf. The film is directed by Abbas Kiarostami, one of the most accomplished Iranian directors of all time, and features a cast of non-professional actors, including Hossain Sabzian, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, and Abolfazl Ahankhah.

The film begins with a quote from a poem by Rumi that speaks to the central themes of the story: identity, truth, and self-realization. From there, we are introduced to Hossain Sabzian, a man who is obsessed with the films of Mohsen Makhmalbaf. Sabzian is a troubled individual who is struggling to find his place in the world. When he meets a wealthy family, the Ahankhahs, and learns that they are fans of Makhmalbaf's work, he sees an opportunity to try and ingratiate himself with them.

Sabzian poses as Makhmalbaf and gains the trust of the Ahankhah family, who are impressed with his knowledge of the director's work. He spends time with them, joining them for meals, and even takes them to visit the filming location of one of Makhmalbaf's films. However, it soon becomes apparent that Sabzian is not who he claims to be. When the family confronts him about his true identity, Sabzian breaks down and confesses to his deception.

At this point in the film, the story takes a surprising turn. Rather than punishing Sabzian for his deceit, the Ahankhah family take pity on him and try to help him. They bring him into their home and treat him like a member of the family. The family even takes the unusual step of allowing Sabzian to act out scenes from one of Makhmalbaf's films, which he had claimed to have directed. It seems that Sabzian's deceit has ultimately brought him closer to a sense of community and belonging.

Meanwhile, the real Mohsen Makhmalbaf hears about Sabzian's impersonation and becomes interested in the story. He decides to meet with Sabzian and talk to him about his motivations. In a fascinating scene, Makhmalbaf and Sabzian sit down together and discuss their views on cinema and art. It is clear that Makhmalbaf sees something of himself in Sabzian, a man who is so passionate about cinema that he is willing to risk everything to become a part of it. Makhmalbaf tells Sabzian that he should use his talents to create something of his own, rather than trying to mimic someone else.

Overall, Close-Up is a poignant and thought-provoking film that explores themes of identity, truth, and art. The film is structured like a documentary, with interviews and re-enactments interspersed with real-life footage of Sabzian and the Ahankhah family. The performances are naturalistic and the direction is masterful, making the film feel incredibly authentic.

Close-Up is a must-see for anyone interested in Iranian cinema or art in general. The film is a testament to the power of storytelling and the role that cinema can play in our lives. It challenges our assumptions about truth and identity, and leaves us with a deeper appreciation for the human experience.

Close-Up is a 1990 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received outstanding reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.2 and a MetaScore of 92.