FRICTION NYC

[MP3]: Joy Division  ”She’s Lost Control”

When I first learned about Control, the film expanding on Deborah Curtis’ personal account of her life with ex-husband Ian Curtis (“Touching From A Distance”), I was skeptical to say the least. Although “Touching” was a decent piece of first-source material and an informative read, the book simply further reinforced how isolated Ian Curtis had become from his family in his final months. I thought it was a bit biased to base an entire movie of a man’s life on the account of someone who was losing/lost touch with main character of the story.

Fortunately, in addition to Debbie Curtis’ chronicle, Control director Anton Corbijn (who also directed Joy Division’s 1988 video for “Atmosphere”) and writer Matt Greenhalgh interviewed all the pertinent people in Curtis’ life, including his mistress Annik Honoré. I haven’t read it yet, but I’ve heard that Mick Middles and Lindsay Reade’s book “Torn Apart” provides a lot of new information from those who knew Curtis intimately near the end of his life. The book is further strengthened by extracted letters between Curtis and Honoré.

Given Corbijn’s and Greenhalgh’s thorough interview process and after seeing the unofficial trailer from the movie, shot in beautiful black and white (check out the stills) I can honestly say I’m looking forward to the film. Control received a standing ovation and rave reviews at its opening night at the Cannes Film Festival. Variety proclaimed that “Control is a riveting, visually arresting portrait of a soul in torment / Central perf by Sam Riley is a winner, surrounded by a strong ensemble of thesps.”

The biopic also took home three awards at Cannes Director’s Fortnight, before being picked up by Weinstein Co. for its North American release, which has yet to be scheduled.

Originally it was planned to use stock footage of Joy Division performances in the film, but apparently the band gelled so well that all performances were done by the actors themselves - no stock footage. New Order has completed the soundtrack score, which also features songs by David Bowie, Sex Pistols, Roxy Music, and it’s been rumored that The Killers “cover” of “Shadowplay” will play during the closing credits (yikes!).

The title is taken from the Joy Division song “She’s Lost Control.” I’ve read conflicting reports on Curtis’ inspirations behind this song, either it was written as a reflection of his own life or about an epileptic girl he became friends with while working at a rehab center, who later died during a fit. Possibly both, who really knows?

Control is set to be released in the UK and France in September 2007. Check out the unofficial trailer below.