Close-Up Culture

Independent journalism on the things we love

Stanley Kramer’s Vision Reawakened: Kat Kramer Curates a Double Feature that Speaks to Today’s Turbulent Times

By Dr. Laura Wilhelm, LauraWil Intercultural Actress/Producer Kat Kramer presented a double feature of her father, legendary director Stanley Kramer’s Judgment at Nuremberg and On The Beach on Sunday, November 23rd at theFine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills, California, as part of ‘Kat Kramer’s Films That Change The World’ series. Dr. Laura Wilhelm of LauraWil Intercultural had the chance to interview Kat Kramer after the special double feature…
‘Mina’ and Modern Fairy Tales: Director Alex Tsitsilin Talks Gan Jing World’s Animated Debut

Following the successful North American theatrical debut of the modern fairytale Mina, the popular independent social media and video streaming platform Gan Jing World1 (GJW) premiered the animated feature on September 12 on its streaming platform GJW+ and Gan Jing Kids3—a new children’s platform that provides child-friendly content without addictive algorithms. Produced by Magic Frame Pictures and Creation Entertainment Media, Mina reinvents…
Close-Up: An Interview With Amanda Golka

Creator Amanda Golka joins us on Close-Up Culture to chat about her work on Swell Entertainment and her exciting future projects. Hi Amanda, how would you describe Swell Entertainment to someone who has never encountered it before? Swell Entertainment is a Youtube channel where I cover and break down niche social media-based topics and review…
Christopher M. Dukes, Hollywood Triple Threat

–by Dr. Laura Wilhelm, LauraWil Intercultural Christopher M. Dukes is a seasoned actor, stuntman, and entrepreneur whose career spans over two decades in film, television, and live performance. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Dukes moved to Los Angeles in 1995 after earning a degree in Speech Communications from the University of Nebraska. Known for his versatility…
Close-Up: An Interview With Who Is Claude Cahun? Actor Lilit Lesser

Actor Lilit Lesser talks to Close-Up Culture’s Claire Sloan about the poignant new production, Who Is Claude Cahun? This powerful play portrays the extraordinary true story of trailblazing Jewish lesbian artist, Claude Cahun, who defied the Nazi regime through acts of artistic resistance on the occupied island of Jersey during the Second World War. What…
Producer Scott Ihrig On The Ghost And Mrs. Muir

Producer Scott Ihrig joins us on Close-Up Culture to talk about the exciting new musical adaptation of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is clearly a timeless story with universal themes of love and loss. How do you see the show evolving ahead of its 2026 production? The Ghost and Mrs Muir…
Tribeca 2025: Director Tony Mucci On Money Talk$

Tony Mucci is an emerging writer and director from New York City. Accumulating over 2 billion views across all his work, he’s directed music videos for artists like Justin Bieber, Juice WRLD and Drake. Tony joins us on Close-Up Culture to talk about his directorial debut, MONEY TALK$, which will premiere at Tribeca Film Festival…
Close-Up: An Interview With Sofia Yepes

Writer, producer, and actor Sofia Yepes joins us on Close-Up Culture to talk about her film, The Low End Theory. It tells the story of a traumatized vet-turned-money-launderer who steals from her drug dealer boss to pay off debts owed by the beautiful woman with whom she is having an obsessive affair. Hi Sofia, You’ve said The…
Costume Designer Mayou Trikerioti On House Of David

Costume designer Mayou Trikerioti joins us on Close-Up Culture to discuss her work on the Amazon Prime show, House of David. Set in 1000 BC in Israel, it chronicles David as a young shepherd anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king following Saul’s disobedient descent. Hi Mayou, welcome to Close-Up Culture. What…
Close-Up: An Interview With Rising Star Aspen Martinez

Rising star Aspen Martinez joins us on Close-Up Culture to talk about her big-screen debut in the A24 Sundance success, Opus. Hi Aspen, welcome to Close-Up Culture. How did the opportunity to star in Opus come about? Hi, thank you for having me! Opus was filmed in New Mexico, where I’m from and I was invited to audition for…