Close Up (Jan-Jun 1928)

Record Details:

Title:
Close Up
Date:
Jan-Jun 1928
Publisher:
[London, etc., Pool]
Volume:
Close up ... devoted to the art of films
Leaf #:
000162
Language:
English
Subjects:
motion pictures, Motion pictures -- Periodicals
Collection:
Early Cinema, Switzerland, and Global Cinema
Format:
Periodicals
Contributor:
Library of Congress, MBRS, Moving Image Section
Sponsor:
Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:
As an active film magazine, CLOSE UP lasted only a short time, from 1927 to 1933. Yet the legacy of this English-language periodical, which was published in Switzerland, continues to matter. Edited by Bryher and her husband Kenneth Macpherson, CLOSE UP became THE magazine for energetic debates about the nature of cinema and manifestos imagining new forms of filmmaking and spectatorship. The magazine published articles by filmmakers, such as Sergei Eisenstein, and female literary modernists, such as H.D. and Gertrude Stein. As film scholar Anne Friedberg explains in the anthology CLOSE-UP, 1927-1933: CINEMA & MODERNISM, 'CLOSE UP became the model for a certain type of writing about film -- writing that was theoretically astute, politically incisive, critical of films that were simply 'entertainment.' For six and a half years, CLOSE UP maintained a forum for a broad variety of ideas about the cinema; it never advocated a single direction of development, but rather posed alternatives to existing modes of production, consumption, and film style.' Like Friedberg's own writing, CLOSE UP continues to be essential reading for anyone interested in the history of film and media theory. -- Eric Hoyt, 2014
Date Added:
August 28, 2022
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CLOSE UP O don't annoy them. . .it isn't worth it. . .get these policemen, these Roman legionaries their little tribute money it's just as easy to pay taxes as not to pay them. . .but no money in the money pouch, says Judas. O well then. . .run along then., he seems to admonish Peter. . .go along pull a fish out of the lake. All this pother about rates and taxes isn't worth our trouble, and he goes on carving. The suggestion of the subtle smile about the mouth endeared and illuminated, was lovable, endearing beyond words, that grace, that Hellenic charis. And though I understand all mysteries and all knowledge and have not a sense of humor, it secretly flashed at us, I am nothing. We secretly seemed to be sharing some little joke with him, the whole time even up to the last perilous denoument. Jolt, jolt of that hideous thing along crowded ways, up, up the piteous ascent. . .the head bowed and the smile obliterated. . this won't do" and the young flaming Simon of Cyrene is smiling into the wan face. Simon of Cyrene got the joke too, suddenly. Funny, it's simply funny that such a thing should happen. He has straightened the insulted body, straightened it till it stands upright and faces him. Across centuries the same smile. . .it's funny really. . .for they know not what they do. . . To day thou shalt be with me in Paradise Because you saw my little joke, saw that the whole thing was tunny. The other cursing and raving has no sense of humor. . .my mother there she has a shadow of an idea and John. The thief cursing there on the cross is a dull witted lout, he can't see the thing. . . 26