The Control Movie
Controversy is pervasively successful in ensuring an eternal annotation in the annals of history. The world of post-punk is no different. Joy Division, a band that made little money during its four years of playing and only two albums released, is now being featured in a full length film by and there are many reasons I am looking forward to this particular movie viewing experience. The , I have heard from a friend who has some ins to the movie industry, is quite good, and apparently I am going to enjoy it a lot. I am prone to dark, slow stories with existentialist themes.
is filmed in black and white, and Corbjin was inspired by the Joy Division’s austere album art. Creator of the artwork and photography of countless album covers, music videos and magazine covers, Corbjin is no doubt the perfect director to visually capture this story.
Some background about the Joy Division…
This movie is based on the book 
Post-Punk Britain Late 70s
I am general fan of movements towards anarchism and disruption of the status quo. Following on the heels of the earlier punk movement, post-punk is marked by being much more experimental, synthesizers and the like and the music of the Joy Division no exception. It is dark, atmospheric. The post-punk music of the mid 70s to 80s is what laid the groundwork for the alternative music to follow, and the Joy Division is one band that is credited with changing the face of music forever.
I Heart Samantha Morton
One of my favourite films of all time, In America, stars the talented and beautiful Samantha Morton. I make a point of seeing all her films and her involvement in the film in 2005 was very exciting for me. She plays the role of Deborah Harris, Curtis’ wife whom he married in 1975. As their marriage progressed, it became strained and Curtis was prone to extramarital affairs. Samantha Morton will no doubt be a perfect addition to this as with any film.
Toronto October 26
I will have to go to Toronto to see the movie, as it is not in London anytime soon; I went all the way to TO to go to facebookcamptoronto2, so why not a movie too… ?
October 26 - Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver
November 2 - Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton
Click to view
It’s all about control
This movie is about control - or rather loss it. If you listen to a lot of the lyrics, and understand Curtis’ struggle with epilepsy, the band’s dismal management, the fact that they were struggling to pay their own household bills, and the confusing love triangles, you see that Curtis had lost control of the direction his life had taken. Once quoted as saying that their music was about “the different ways different people can cope with certain problems, how they might or might not adapt”, you see that Curtis’ existentialism may have mirrored Camus’, and he regained control by taking his life.
Later this week: How Marketing Failed Ian Curtis and the Joy Division ;)
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Posted: October 19th, 2007.
Comments: 7
Comments
Comment from
Time: October 20, 2007, 6:10 am
Great post Danielle; this is a very detailed examination of the story and its many elements. I suspect you will enjoy the movie - you seem to know everything about it. But I will tell you something you don’t know - there is a scene in which John Cooper Clarke performs a spoken word poetry to pacify the punks in Manchester - he rhymes off ‘Evidently Chickentown’ and its brilliant. For me, it was the best part of the movie.
Comment from Danielle
Time: October 20, 2007, 11:03 am
I can’t wait to see this. I actually sat and watched the Cotrol Movie site for a while just because I was hypnotized by my own ideas of what the movie would be like - I saw the New Order story but it did not really “satisfy me” in terms of telling the Ian Curtis story.
Ian Curtis’ epileptic fits were no doubt triggered by the lights and music of his own performances - the music itself had more control over him and his body.
I look forward to the Evidently Chicken scene - intrigued now.
Comment from
Time: October 20, 2007, 8:31 pm
Hi Danielle,
First, thanks for posting a broadcast about this. I try to keep up on all my blog subscriptions, but when the come to me via email, it’s very convenient for me to stay up to date. Maybe you’ll consider adding an email subscription to your posts via feedburner?
Anyway, thanks for a great post and keeping me informed of what seems to be a really interesting film. I was just reminiscing with some of my own punk rock memories today while reading the latest issue of SPIN magazine, and you post seemed to fit right in. I am a child of the late 70’s/early 80’s punk rock/new wave scene here in the states, and the music from this era has shaped who I am in many respects. I will be watching this film as soon as I’m able!
To get an idea of my musical background, you might consider watching a recent documentary on the punk rock movement from my perspective called American Hardcore. Although the bands and feelings portrayed in this film are valid and define who I am somewhat, there were many influences from bands that originated in the UK and made their way to America.
Thanks again for a great post!
One Eyed View
Comment from
Time: October 20, 2007, 8:59 pm
WOW!!!!
In despite of I knew Joy Division AFTER New Order and Depeche Mode a lot of time ago… (`cause I`m living in a third world country and the local radio was very medieval and crazy in the 80’s) I like Joy Division music. I wanna see that movie….if I were on Ontario or at the B.C…
hope the film will be released on a DVD version someday, I love that kinda movies. I love the website of Control.
I also recommend a special movie about PUNK!, it`s “Syd and Nancy”, 1986,
it`s about the history of the punk hero Syd Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy, it`s a great film starred by Gary Oldman, loaded of 70`s punk music, drugs, but a GREAT story.
The fact of Control it`s a Black and White movie makes me crazy…I mean, I love that B/W movies and I would love this film `cause it`s placed in middle 70’s in the UK+punk+Ian Curtis…. It would be Fantastic!
I wanna see “Control”. :`( wanna see it…
By chance….Do you have a “telepod” or something like that?, It`s a way of tele-transportation as showed in the Star Treak TV series…LOL
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Time: October 20, 2007, 9:36 pm
[…] just read a post of Danielle at Pink Internet Marketing about the film […]
Comment from
Time: October 22, 2007, 12:27 am
Hi Danielle. Just letting you know that I featured this post in the Super Link Sunday - Batch #5 post! :)
Shine on,
Aaron
Comment from
Time: October 26, 2007, 6:34 am
Danielle your blog post is a big success. Thanks for discussing this important new indy film.
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