When closeness becomes unbearable: Kantemir Balagov’s 'Closeness’ movie

This episode is based on an original reflective essay on Kantemir Balagov’s 2017 film Closeness. It explores the disturbing impact of documentary footage of real violence embedded in the film, as well as Balagov’s visual strategies — from color symbolism to the oppressive narrow frame. Beyond shock, the discussion focuses on “closeness” as an unbearable psychological condition, where cultural coexistence turns into hostility, pressure, and the impossibility of peaceful dialogue.