Close-Up Culture

Independent journalism on the things we love

I Care A Lot – Film Review

Anna and James discuss I Care A Lot and everything else they’ve been watching this month. Listen on iTunes Listen on Spotify Listen on RadioPublic Listen on our Podcast Page Listen on YouTube
The Second Sleep – Book Review

Anna gives her thoughts on Robert Harris’ book, The Second Sleep. Listen on iTunes Listen on Spotify Listen on RadioPublic Listen on our Podcast Page Listen on YouTube
Dark Places – Book Review

Anna gives her thoughts on Gillian Flynn’s book, Dark Places. Listen on iTunes Listen on Spotify Listen on RadioPublic Listen on our Podcast Page Listen on YouTube
My First Summer – Film Review

Claudia has been bought up in isolation by her mother in a remote rural home, miles away from the nearest town. Emotionally unequipped to cope with her mother’s suicide, Claudia hides at home until the spirited Grace breezes into her life. As the title of the film suggests, we see someone experience life outside of…
Victoria – Short Film Review

A florist receives a surprise visit from her ex-wife, uneasy at the next round of coming out. I found this film a beautiful and interesting watch. First in terms of visuals, we spend just under 8 minutes in a tropical paradise, the most beautiful and wild florist shop I have ever seen, yet it’s still…
Trans Happiness Is Real – Short Film Review

Young activists in Oxford wage a trans-positive graffiti war after discovering TERF stickers dotted around the city. This documentary lets us into the lives of people wanting to feel safe and accepted where they live. From stickers and graffiti to embroidery, we see people let their creativity run wild to show the world that their…
Kind Of – Short Film Review

A couple has a lovers’ tiff over polyamory and penis envy. People in polyamorous relationships must have to have rules, trust and understanding, knowing that their partner does love them as well as the other people in the relationship. I can understand why people find them confusing or difficult, but this is the first film…
We Too – Short Film Review

This 3-minute shorts lets us look through the lens into the life of a couple dealing with emotions and worries. From great joy to streaming tears, We Two welcomes us into this relationship which we feel is failing from what we see on our screen. With only music to guide us through sound, it’s pleasing…
Sweetheart – Film Review

Dragged along by her mum, 17-year-old AJ is determined to not have fun on this family holiday to a caravan park. But when she feels like she’s starting to fall in love with someone working there, she realises it might not be so bad after all. As a family, we owned a caravan at a…
Is It Me? – Short Film Review

Body dysmorphia takes centre stage in this highly visual examination of the selves we invent to navigate the world. In this 10-minute documentary, we enter Emma Russer’s bedroom and mind as we see her show off her fashion and creations, to then strip down the colour and patterns to see the truth behind her latest…