Close-Up Culture

Independent journalism on the things we love

Mixed↑ – Film Review

Part testimonial, part confessional, MixedUp follows Howard J Davis (aka Haui) as he talks about his life growing up mixed race and part of the LGBTQ+ community. I’ve never really seen a documentary like this, where we mostly hear someone’s story narrated over visuals. Normally we’re taken back and forward in time, everything is clean…
Disaster Movie – Film Review

Anna and James review the 2008 film, Disaster Movie. Listen on iTunes Listen on Spotify Listen on RadioPublic Listen on our Podcast Page Listen on YouTube
Breakdown – Short Film Review

When a man’s car breaks down, salvation doesn’t quite come in the form he was hoping for. Written by and starring Sy Thomas and Oliver Britten, this pair come together to bring comedy to us in a classic way. Like any sketch, we begin with a dilemma, this short film showing us a man who…
Into The Night – Short Film Review

After weeks of staying inside, Krysia’s mother pushes her to go to a party. She manages to sneak out with someone else who doesn’t want to be there, and they spend the evening together. About halfway through this film, I realised it was a loving, coming-of-age film, just presented to us in a harsh and…
Keep Mum – Short Film Review

A woman’s psyche is explored as she is pushed beyond the limits of sanity in this critically acclaimed horror/thriller short film from Luana Di Pasquale. As someone who isn’t a big horror fan, I was worried going into this film that I wouldn’t enjoy it to be able to give it my full attention. I…
Pete Can’t Play Basketball – Short Film Review

Pete Can’t Play Basketball is a short film about exactly that. In a world where all that matters is a certain ball game, the main character is unable to play. Written, directed by and starring Nick Borenstein, we’re thrown into this small comedic world which resembles popular TV mockumentaries and the office work consuming our…
Clann – Short Film Review

We are taken back to Medieval Ireland in O’Reel Productions’ most ambitious film to date, Clann. “We kill and die as men” are the words echoing through our minds as we follow Oisin as he strives to save his aging father’s clan from an uncertain fate. Inspired by shows like Vikings and Game of Thrones,…
Director Rami Kodeih Talks Alina

Close Up Culture talks to Rami Kodeih, director of short film Alina, which focuses on the heroic women who fought and risked their lives to save children during the Holocaust. Alina is a wonderful film of hope and defiance set in a dark place. Written by Nora Mariana, when did you become part of the…
Pieces Of A Woman – Film Review

Anna and James review the Netflix film Pieces Of A Woman. Listen on iTunes Listen on Spotify Listen on RadioPublic Listen on our Podcast Page Listen on our YouTube page
Mango – Short Film Review

Through the unfiltered perspective of her mobile phone, a young woman weighs what she wants with that is realistic. The first thing that grabbed me with this short, as I’m sure it will with anyone watching it, was that it’s shot in portrait to mimic a phone screen. It really added to the atmosphere that…