This Closeness is a 2023 American comedy drama film written and directed by Kit Zauhar. The film stars Zauhar and Zane Pais as a young couple on vacation renting a room from a socially awkward host played by Ian Edlund.[1][4]
| This Closeness | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Kit Zauhar[1] |
| Screenplay by | Kit Zauhar |
| Produced by | Ani Schroeter |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Kayla Wolf |
| Edited by | Brian Kinnes |
Production companies |
|
Release dates |
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Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | United States |
Premise
editTessa, an ASMR content creator, joins her journalist boyfriend Ben in Philadelphia for his high school reunion. The couple rent a room from Adam, a shy young man who has opened his apartment for homestays to meet new people. The awkward introduction of Adam to the couple's dynamic is compounded with Ben and Tessa gain the sense that Adam is attracted to Tessa; the couple become convinced that Adam is especially attracted to Asian women like Tessa, who is biracial, when Adam brings home Kristen, who is also Asian.[1]
Cast
edit- Kit Zauhar as Tessa
- Zane Pais as Ben, a journalist who is dating Tessa
- Ian Edlund as Adam, who is hosting Tessa and Ben for a weekend
- Kate Williams as Kristen, Adam's date
- Jessie Pinnick as Lizzy
Production
editThe initial runtime of the film was projected at two hours and twenty minutes, but Zauhar and her editor Brian Kinnes chose to omit several scenes for a final runtime under ninety minutes.[5][6]
Release
editThis Closeness debuted in the Narrative Spotlight section of the 2023 South by Southwest Film Festival.[7] The film was acquired for a limited theatrical run beginning June 7, 2024 by the distribution company Factory 25 and will be released on MUBI on July 3.[3]
Reception
editAccolades
edit| Award | Ceremony date | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South by Southwest | 19 March 2023 | Narrative Spotlight | This Closeness | Nominated | [7] |
| Seattle International Film Festival | 21 May 2023 | New American Cinema Competition Special Jury Prize | Won | [8] | |
| Champs-Élysées Film Festival | 27 June 2023 | American Independent Feature Films Competition | Nominated | [9] | |
| Valencia International Film Festival Cinema Jove | 1 July 2023 | Youth Jury Award for Best Film | Won | [10] | |
| Philadelphia Film Festival | 29 October 2023 | Best Local Feature | Nominated | [11] |
References
edit- ^ a b c Felperin, Leslie. "'This Closeness' Review: A Couple and Their Airbnb Host Get Acquainted in an Astute Dramedy of Awkwardness". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "Kit Zauhar". SXSW Schedule. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Ntim, Zac. "Kit Zauhar Lands North American Distribution For SXSW Competition Title 'This Closeness' Via Factory 25, IFC Center To Launch Theatrical Run". Deadline. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ Minsoo Kim, Joshua. "Film Show 039: Kit Zauhar". Tone Glow. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ ""If you are a woman of color you are always going to be thinking about your race in intimate relationships"". Cinema Jove. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ Risker, Paul. "A little poison". Eye for Film. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ a b "This Closeness". SXSW Schedule. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "20,000 Species of Bees, Dancing Queen, Next Sohee, The Fishbowl, Mutt, Against The Tide, and 26.2 to Life win top awards at 49th Annual Seattle International Film Festival". Seattle International Film Festival. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "This Closeness". Champs-Élysées Film Festival. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "List of Winners 38th Edition". Cinema Jove. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ Maag-Tanchak, Annemarie. "32nd Philadelphia Film Festival Full Lineup". Philadelphia Film Society. Retrieved 30 May 2024.