Ian Curtis, lead singer of seminal British band Joy Division, hung himself on the eve of the band’s first American tour, and, as history records, his bandmates went on to form New Order and live happily ever after (even if poor old Ian didn’t).
Now, however, the life of Curtis is coming to the silver screen – entitled “Control” – and what better person to create a dark mood than famed photographer / Depeche Mode video director Anton Corbijn? (Indeed, he’s the photographer of the above shot.) “If I only ever make one movie,” said Corbijn in a press release, “‘Control’ would have to be that. I simply feel that as Joy Division and Ian Curtis played a big part in my life, I cannot think of a better combination of subject and director.”
The film is based upon and expands on the 1995 book Touching From a Distance written by Curtis’ widow, Deborah, as a personal account of her life with the singer; she serves as a co-producer on the film as well, along with Factory Records founder Tony Wilson. Matt Greenhalgh wrote the script for “Control,” talking to those closest to Curtis, including Honore, who previously remained silent on her relationship with him. Ian will be played by Sam Riley, who has some experience playing alternative rock legends; he portrayed Fall frontman Mark E. Smith in “24 Hour Party People.”
