The following story was part of the Day in Rock Report for 5/15/08 - (PR) Zeroing in on one of the first bands to go beyond punk music with its dark and gloomy sound, the award winning biopic Control and documentary Joy Division rock onto DVD June 3rd and June 17th, respectively, from Genius Products and The Weinstein Company under The Miriam Collection. Both Control and Joy Division will be available for the suggested retail price of $28.95 and $22.95, respectively. Winner of nine film festival awards, including three at the Cannes Film Festival, Control profiles Ian Curtis, the lead singer of the pioneering post-punk band Joy Division. Inspired by the energy of punk artists such as the Sex Pistols, the English rockers infiltrated the music scene in the late 70s with a distinct sound of their own. Following the tragic suicide of Curtis, the surviving members regrouped as New Order and went on to achieve great critical and commercial success.
Directed by acclaimed music photographer Anton Corbijn and loosely based on Curtis' wife's book Touching From A Distance, Control stars two-time Academy Awardฎ nominee Samantha Morton (In America, Minority Report), Alexandra Maria Lara (Downfall) and relative newcomer Sam Riley (24 Hour Party People). Filmed in color and transferred to black-and-white for a surreal and edgy vibe, the film has been hailed as "the most acclaimed brit-pic of the year" (Variety) and "a handsome, lyrically moving drama" (The Times).
The retrospective documentary Joy Division, directed by music-video veteran Grant Gee, chronicles the band's progression, as well as social and external conditions that influenced them. Blending archival footage and revealing testimonies from band members and key musical players, Joy Division gives an inside look at everything surrounding the rock scene of the 1970's. Originally premiering at the Toronto Film Festival, Joy Division covers the group's early days as the band Warsaw, its post-punk glory as Joy Division, and the untimely death of its lead singer Curtis.
CONTROL Special Features Audio commentary with director Anton Corbijn The Making Of Control Out of Control: A Conversation with Anton Corbijn Extended Live Concert Performances - Transmission, Leaders of Men, Candidate "Transmission" music video by Joy Division "Atmosphere" music video by Joy Division "Shadowplay" music video by The Killers Still gallery Theatrical Trailers