Text: Bruno Moonbyrd | Translation: dilettante
CONTROL
Talking about ‘Control’, one has to start with the relationship between Anton Corbijn (the director) and Joy Division.
Anton is born in Netherland. Working as a photographer, his love for post-punk sent Anton on a journey to the United Kingdom. Anton counts Joy Division, Public Image Ltd., Echo & the Bunnymen, U2 and Fad Gadget as his clients. One particular commissioned image, although killed by the record company, drew the young photographer and the iconic band closer.
Anton shot the band from their back in the underground, capturing the fragility and poetic loneliness the band is known for. After that shoot the band promptly hired him to be the set photographer for their iconic ‘Love Will Tears Us Apart’ music video. Joy Division ended with Ian’s untimely suicide, but the relationship remains.
By the time ‘Atmosphere’ was re-released, Anton already became a music video director and was the natural choice of director for the music video. In monotone, the image of children and midgets dressed as cloisterers moan the loss of Ian.
Being on the same wavelength, Anton and Joy Division shares a mutual admiration. When Anton first became a film director, Ian is an obvious choice of topic. Anton’s career has always related to music, but he emphasised that this is not a music film, not a biographical story of Joy Division. The film is about Ian, a man pursuing his dream and its destruction. Also a man pursuing his dream, Anton financed the 4,500,000 euro production. The name ‘Control’ is taken by the Joy Division song ‘She’s Lost Control’. The screenplay is based on ‘Touching from a Distance’ by Ian’s wife Deborah Curtis, who was involved in the film production.
It was not an easy task to cast Ian. Sean Harris played Ian in ‘24 Hour Party People’ but his acting was less than convincing. Cillian Murphy also took part in the casting, but his height is the disadvantage. Sam Riley, being in an indie band and member of British National Youth Theatre earned him the part. Also his stick thin figure and weary look.
Prior to ‘Control’, Sam took part in ‘24 Hour Party People’ playing Mark E. Smith, the lead singer of post punk band The Fall. Unfortunately he was taken out in the final edit. It is funny how he came round to play Ian this time, being born the same year Ian’s suicide took place. When Sam was confirmed for the part, he immersed himself in the archive material and subsequently channeled the spirit of Ian in the film.
Unlike the light-hearted ‘24 Hour Party People’ and entertaining ‘The Doors’ by Oliver Stone, the monochromatic ‘Control’ gives an insight into Ian’s fragile loneliness. The first scene sees Ian listening to the stereo, the outline followed Ian through his ups and downs, his career and relationships, also the destruction and illness that led Ian to his suicide. The sentence ‘Ian Curtis / died May 18, 1980 / He was 23 Years Old’ echo Joy Division’s ‘Atmosphere’, as it drifted into complete darkness.
Sam did not consider himself acting, but deeply immersed into the spirit of the role. From the way he lit a cigarette, to the way he danced, to struggling between his relationships, Sam’s performance brought the role into life. But ‘Control’ is not all darkness, there were a few comic moments in the early part of the film when the band was seeking its dream.
THE MEN BEHIND《CONTROL》
ANTON CORBIJN
Netherland director and photographer. Anton started photographing gigs, later moved to U.K. to work for NME. He shot album covers for U2 and Echo & the Bunnymen alike, and became an important photographer for the post-punk era. Anton started to make music video by chance, his debut being ‘Hockey’ by German new wave band Palais Schaumburg. He later made music video for Depeche Mode, U2, David Sylvian and Nirvana. ‘Control’ is his first feature film.
IAN CURTIS
As the lead signer and guitarist, Ian formed Joy Division with Bernard Summer, Peter Hook and Steve Morris. Known for his love of literature such as William Burroughs and J.G. Ballard, Ian struggled with his relationships and illness. Prior the American tour, Ian committed suicide in his kitchen with ‘The Idiot’ by Iggy Pop playing. It was 18th May 1980 and he was 23 years old. ‘Control’ is the first feature film on his story.
SAM RILEY
Lead singer of indie garage band 10,000 Things. The band was predicted to the next big thing and promptly signed to Factory label after its debut single. Unfortunately the performance of the debut album ‘10,000 Things’ did not perfume commercially as expected. The band released one album and two singles. Sam was a member of the British National Youth Theatre and made several guest appearances in various films. ‘Control’ sees his first leading role as Ian.
JOY DIVISION – DISCOGRAPHY
《UNKNOWN PLEASURES》(1979)
Joy Division’s debut album. Under the notorious production of Martin Hannett, Ian’s subtle voice, Bernard’s guitar, Peter’s melodic bass and Steve’s mechanic drums made a unique combination with the spacious sound and minimalistic piano. The songs in this album are distant and fragile. The graphic album cover designer by Peter Saville is later re-used in fashion collections by Supreme and Raf Simon alike.
《CLOSER》(1980)
The second and last studio album. Ian hit the lowest in life during the production, injecting undeniable essence of death, loneliness and darkness into the album. His voice told the story of a losing battle in life. Peter Saville chose a Bernard Pierre Wolff image for the album cover, which re-enforces the theme of death. Peter claimed he did not listen to the album before choosing the image.
《STILL》(1981)
The last album of Joy Division. It is a recording of their performance in Birmingham University High Hall on 2nd May 1980. The recording includes their cover of ‘Sister Ray’ by The Velvet Underground and their first performance of ‘Ceremony’ in public. It later became the first single of New Order. The quality of the recording may not be the tiptop, but this album certainly holds its own value.
