Closeness
Film poster
Directed byKantemir Balagov
Written by
  • Kantemir Balagov
  • Anton Yarush
Produced by
StarringDarya Zhovner
CinematographyArtem Emelyanov
Edited byKantemir Balagov
Release date
  • 24 May 2017 (2017-05-24) (Cannes)
Running time
118 minutes
CountryRussia
Languages
Box office$184,008[1]

Closeness (Russian: Теснота) is a 2017 Russian drama film directed by Kantemir Balagov, in his feature film debut. It was selected to compete in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.[2][3] At Cannes, it won the FIPRESCI Prize in the Un Certain Regard section.[4]

Plot

In 1998 at Nalchik, 24-year-old Ilana (Zhovner) works in her father's garage to help him make ends meet. One evening, her extended family and friends gather to celebrate the engagement of her younger brother David. Later that night, the young couple is kidnapped, and a ransom demand delivered.[5]

Cast

Reception

Closeness grossed $184,008 worldwide.[1] On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 88% based on 16 reviews, with an average rating of 7.69/10.[6] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 53 out of 100 based on 8 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[7] The film was criticized by some critics for its use of documentary video footage of the torture and killing of Russian soldiers from the Tukhchar massacre.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ a b "Closeness (2017)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  2. ^ "The 2017 Official Selection". Cannes. 13 April 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  3. ^ "2017 Cannes Film Festival Announces Lineup: Todd Haynes, Sofia Coppola, 'Twin Peaks' and More". IndieWire. 13 April 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  4. ^ Hopewell, John (27 May 2017). "Cannes Critics Prize 'BPM,' Closeness,' 'Nothing Factory'". Variety. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  5. ^ "Closeness Press Kit". 23 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  6. ^ "Closeness (Tesnota) (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Tesnota (Closeness) Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  8. ^ Quandt, James (1 February 2020). "THE FACE OF WAR". Artforum. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  9. ^ Kenny, Glenn (30 April 2020). "'Closeness' Review: A Russian Kidnapping Drama Unsettles in Unexpected Ways". New York Times. Retrieved 25 July 2023.

External links


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