A Movie about Ian Curtis from Joy Division
The tragic life of the frontman of the British indie musical band Joy Division will the subject of a new movie, which opened old wounds for the surviving member of the group.
The 70s band were the creators of hit songs such as “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and “Transmission”. But at only 23 years old Ian Curtis committed suicide in 1980, when the group was about to tour the U.S.
Director Anton Corbjin photographed the band in 1979 and now he directed “Control”, a two-hour, black-and-white biopic of the troubled lead singer of the band. The film will be out of the competition from the Cannes Film Festival, despite its screening.
The unknown actor Sam Riley plays the role of Curtis. He bears an uncanny resemblance to the lead singer of Joy Division. Samantha Morton plays his wife, Debbie, whose book is the base of the screenplay of the movie.
“It was pretty lucky I’m the same height as him, I’ve got a passing resemblance and I was a singer, so I think that made it an easier decision for Anton, but still a risky one.” – said Riley.
Ian Curtis was suffering from epilepsy and also from the inability to combine his home life as a husband and father with his career as a rock star, who also had a passionate affair.
However, for the surviving members of the band watching the movie was not such a pleasant experience.
Tags: anton corbjin, cannes film festival, control, ian curtis, joy division, sam riley, samantha morton.
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May 20th, 2007 17:27
Although the film is not in competition, it did receive a standing ovation at Cannes. Here’s a really good report / video http://www.thenewsroom.com/details/316701/All+Categories?c=20191
May 21st, 2007 15:19
LA SHORTS FEST
SHORT SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
CALL FOR ENTRIES
Final Deadline July 27, 2007
Submit Online: www.lashortsfest.com
323-461-4400
The winner of the Short Screenplay Competition receives a package of goods and services to bring their ideas to life.
11th Annual LA Shorts Fest is the largest short film festival in the world, screening 700 films of every category. We are accredited by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences. In past years, 25 participants have earned Academy Award nominations, this years Oscar winner for best animated short film “The Danish Poet” made its Los Angeles premiere at LA Shorts Fest in 2006 continuing our streak of the last 8 Oscar winning short films having screened at LA Shorts Fest the previous year. Last year’s award winners received prizes totaling over $100,000. The festival annually attracts more than 10,000 moviegoers, filmmakers and entertainment executives looking for the hottest new talent We have honored some of Hollywood’s legends of the past: Charles Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and Robert Wise; along with actors Martin Landau, James Woods, Gary Oldman and directors Tim Burton, Bryan Singer, Jan de Bont and Paul Haggis. www.lashortsfest.com 323.461.4400