Anton Corbijn’s mesmerising film debut Control won five awards at last night’s prestigious British Independent Film Awards including Best British Independent Film and Best Director.Corbijn’s film is based on the short life of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis, who committed suicide in May 1980 at the tender age of 23 on the eve of the band’s first American tour and just as their single Love Will Tear Us Apart was changing the band from cult heroes in to a commercial success.
After working with Joy Division as a young photographer, the Dutch Anton Corbijn directed a posthumous video for the re-release of Joy Division’s Atmosphere.
Anton Corbijn’s Control beat the likes of David Cronenberg’s Eastern Promises, And When Did You Last See Your Father, and Notes on a Scandal to win the best film.
Sam Riley who played the lead role of Ian Curtis won an award for the most promising newcomer for his brilliant performance as the enigmatic singer-songwriter and Tony Kebbell won best supporting actor for his amusing and uncanny role as Rob Gretton, the Joy Division manager.
Two years ago Sam Riley was working in a warehouse in Leeds placing barcodes on shirts. While Riley was being interviewed by Colin Patterson of Radio 5 Live he was confronted by an old landlord who explained how he had to evict the young wannabe because he had never seen such a mess when he visted the house.
Riley is destined for bigger things. But his awesome performance as Ian Curtis is not his first portrayal of a Mancunian lead singer, he played Mark E. Smith of The Fall in the wonderful 24 Hour Party People.
other awards included, Daniel Craig being given an award for raising the profile of the British independent film industry and Ray Winston received a lifetime achievment award.
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