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Title: CLOSE

Reference number: 7570

Date: 1994

Director: d. Peter Mullan

Sponsor: Scottish Screen, Scottish Television

Producer: Frances Higson

Production company: [ Antonine Green Bridge]

Sound: sound

Original format: 16mm

Certificate: 18

Colour: bw

Fiction: fiction

Running time: 16.44 mins

Description: Vincent has recently become a father and is preparing the house for his newborn daughter’s homecoming. His joy and excitement, however, turn into something darker when one of his neighbours (a sad, drunken man whose own children have recently thrown him out of the house) suggests a sordid future for both Vincent and his child. Something inside him snaps and he embarks on a pyschotic mission of ‘close cleansing’. -Peter Mullan, Director

"Close" is a short film on the darker side of fatherhood, of paternal love swerving dangerously down the wrong path. The mood is disturbing, violent and darkly comic. (source: You've SEEN THE NEGATIVE, NOW SEE THE POSITIVE: Scottish Screen Short Film Catalogue 1993-1999)

Production file held at National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive, also photograph of Peter Mullan receiving award for CLOSE. See also ref. 8210 for raw interview footage with director Peter Mullan about the making of this film.

First Reels - a joint short film initiative from Scottish Screen (and its predecessor body the Scottish Film Council) and Scottish Television. First Reels was launched during 1991 by Scottish Film Council in response to a perceived need for small grants to help young and first time film-makers to make or complete their first film or video project. Scottish Television came in as co-sponsor at an early stage and as well as contributing to half the funds they have given the scheme a tremendous public relations boost by running three half hour documentaries showing excerpts from the First Reels. Applicants were invited to submit projects in any format and on any subject they chose. All entries were considered by a jury and thirty five projects were given grants varying from £50 to £2000. On show at the GFT are a representative selection of the best of the films and videos supported by the scheme. [Editorial from Scottish Film Council held in paper archives]

Credits: Vincent Peter Mullan
Alex Bob Carr
Davie David McKay
Fumigation Man Gary Lewis
Margaret Maureen Carr
Vincent's Wife Emily Winter
Ian Jim McKay
Policemen Campbell Soutar, Neil McCallum
Angel Conor Strike
Boy at Door Andrew McKay

exec. p. Julie Graham, Douglasd Henshall
ass. d. Tony Sheridan
contunuity Nic Muirison
sd. rec. Andrea Seth
costume advisor Lynn Aitken
gaffer electrician Alex McKenzie, Nick McCall
sd. ass. Hugh Griffin
sd. ed. Ken Fraser
dubbing mixer Cy Jack
p. runners Alasdair Begbie, Andrew McKay, Agnes McKay
d. ph. Grant Cameron
m. Craig Armstrong
ed. Colin Monie
designer Alan Reid
w. Peter Mullan

With special thanks The residents of 133 Albion St., Irene Napier, Meg Spiers, Perry Costello, John Lawrie, Isobel McPherson, Alex Warren, GHS Scotland, Samuelson Lighting Scotland, Gillian Munroe, Fiona McDonald, Ann Swan, Mairi Swan, Louis Kramer, Brian Milliken, Amanda Strike, David McKay, Cine Europe Ltd., Antonine Films Ltd., Viccy Simpson, Pelicula Films, Lee Lighting

This film was made with the financial assistance of the Scottish Film Council and Scottish Television PLC.