Series of creative documentaries that delve into the work and lives of Greek creators, artists, scientists, as well as individuals who contribute - each in their own way - to the formation of our collective identity.

Beyond individual personalities, the series also showcases creative collectives and initiatives across social, ecological, and scientific fields. The filming for this series took place both in Greece and abroad.

The foundation of each documentary is an interview with the creator, where the thread of the narrative unfolds—memories, experiences, beliefs, and emotions. It is a careful excavation into the heart and spirit of each creator, moving from the surface to the depth. The camera frames the individual in close-up, closely observing and recording their confessions.

As the face gradually reveals itself, their work is presented within its historical evolution. Its significance is explained, placed within the historical context, and its qualities and uniqueness are highlighted.

This approach is applied to all other topics in the series as well. The qualitative standards of "Close Up" permeate every stage of creating each episode: from research and scripting to filming and technical editing.

It is worth noting that documentaries from this series have already participated in recognized festivals in Greece and abroad, winning distinctions and awards. "Close Up" is entirely an internal production of ERT, providing the opportunity for ERT's directors to express their ideas, opinions, and concerns, while delivering a valuable documentary series to the audience of public television.

Giannis Kastritsis was born in 1960 in Dafni, Evrytania. He studied Painting at the School of Fine Arts in Thessaloniki from 1985 to 1990, in the workshop of Vangelis Dimitreas. He continued his postgraduate studies at Brooklyn College in New York from 1990 to 1993. Alongside painting, he is also involved in photography and sculpture. Since 1997, he has taught painting at the Department of Graphic Design at the Athens University of Applied Sciences, and since 2007, at the School of Fine Arts in Florina.

He has published the following personal catalogues: "The World of Things" (2004),"In the Big Puddle" (2006), "The Man and His Shadow" (2010), "Cézanne’s Doubt" (2011), "Interpretation of Lives" (2012).

The documentary is both a cinematic portrait of visual artist Giannis Kastritsis and a captivating journey through a raw world of images, objects, and human figures. It is an artistic pilgrimage through the mountains of Evrytania, where figures like Dionysios of Fourna, Physikas, Anasto, and Syntrofos lived and left behind their shadows.

The documentary was officially selected for the 19th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival and the London Greek Film Festival, and received the Best Director Award at the Fine Arts Film Festival in Los Angeles, USA.