The NME has just reported that an Ian Curtis bio pic, possibly titled CONTROL, has been announced with Tony Wilson (genius who signed Joy Division and lauched Factory Records and subject of the excellent film 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE), Executive Producing with Ian Curtis' widow. My all time favourite photogapher, Anton Corbjin, will direct (this is his first feature). I am very uncertain about this film. It needs to have an excellent script and honestly, I have avoided all of the biographies on Curtis (Brandt is more expert). Admittedly, I am more a New Order guy (shock! horror!) and even moreso a Peter Hook guy (no shock there, kids), but I feel very strong about Joy Division as something sacred and untouchable (and thats perhaps while I always, ahem, keep them at a distance). I thought 24 HOUR, as a film respected that legacy and with Wilson in charge of this film, I feel Ian will be treated respectfully. A lot of those also rides on who they have play Curtis, cause going with a Jude Law, (despite the erection Ash5000 will have), could be a mistake. The guy who played him in 24 HOUR was scary good and should be cast. A star will take away from it.
On a lighter note, on LIFE AS WE KNOW IT last night (an excellent episode by the way), one of the kids, Dino, trades Ipods with his guidence counsellor (played to great effect by the midget from STATION AGENT). When the counseller hears what's on the Ipod, he asks WHO IS THIS? Dino responds with "Interpol". The Counsellor counters with "God, theyre a second rate Joy Divsion rip off" and makes the kid LISTEN to Joy Division..and of course, Dino loves it. Cheers to the writers
F
2 comments:
i think i need to hire the LIFE AS WE KNOW IT writers for my life as i want it to be known...
A couple of points on the Ian Curtis biopic previously mentioned by F...
I only own two books solely about Joy Division: Pitchfork Media writer Chris Ott's history/critical review of Unknown Pleasures (part of the Thirty-Three And A Third series), and Deborah Curtis' Touching From A Distance, upon which the film is said to be based. Ott's study is only of value to the nascent Joy Division fan, as it reveals little that cannot be found in the countless essays by Paul Morely, Claude Flowers, Jon Savage, et al. And Deborah's book is, dare I say, a little whiney. The memoir reveals that Deborah was hardly an insider in her husband's circle of friends. Rather, she paints herself as a neglected housewife, stuck at home with a child and utterly disconnected from Ian's world view and internal struggles. Deborah's writing is plaintive, but also as meek and lacking in confidence as you imagine her to be in real life. It's a dull read when all is said and done, and will be of interest only to the band's most obsessive followers. And the saddest truth: Deborah Curtis' understanding of Ian and the demons that fostered his art is no greater than that of his fans.
Speaking of Joy Division references in unlikely places, their name has also popped up once or twice on Gilmore Girls. While I cannot claim that Gilmore holds a candle to Life As We Know It, I readily admit to watching and think the creative team is writing way beyond the WB audience's knowledge of pop culture. Kudos.
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