Control is the new film about the late Ian Curtis (1956-1980), lead singer of the band Joy Division. The screenplay is based on the book Touching From a Distance, by his wife, Deborah Curtis who is also a co-producer of the film.
The film is directed by Anton Corbijn who directed and photographed Joy Division, and explores the troubled and short life of the lead singer of Manchester post-punk band Joy Division, and follows the ups and downs of their meteoric rise to fame between 1977 and 1980, when Curtis committed suicide on the eve of the band’s first tour of America.
As Joy Division found success and adulation, Ian Curtis’s life was in turmoil with the breakdown of his marriage, a extra marital affair with a Belgian fan and his being diagnosed as an epileptic.
The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, on 17 May 2007 (the day before the anniversary of Curtis’ suicide), where it was received well by the critics, especially for Sam Riley’s performance.
His wife Debbie Curtis shyed away from publicity until the release of her book stating she wanted to protect Ian’s daughter, Natalie, who was only one when Curtis hung himself at the tender age of 23. Natalie Curtis was also involved with the film at various stages and though she said it shows her father’s flaws, she cannot fault the music.
Yesterday the film received its London Premier and is on general release from 5 October.
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1 Kurt Cobain Film to star James McAvoy | Buzzin Music Blog // Oct 30, 2007 at 10:37 am
[...] biopic of the much troubled Ian Curtis, former singer with cult Manchester band Joy Division - Control, there is alot of speculation in Hollywood that a new film about the life and times of [...]
2 Anton Corbijn's Control wins British Film Awards | Buzzin Music Blog // Nov 29, 2007 at 10:23 am
[...] Corbijn’s mesmerising film debut Control won five awards at last night’s prestigious British Independent Film Awards including Best [...]