30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge - Day 3.

Your favorite Depeche Mode video

@thewaisthigh #30dayDM Favorite DM video is "Behind the Wheel" (from The Videos 86>98 - Remix) directed by Anton Corbijn from 1987

Best paired with "Route 66," "Behind the Wheel" was Depeche Mode's 20th UK single (released in December 1987 in the UK and April 1988 in the U.S.).

There are two videos for "Behind the Wheel," the 5:20 album version of the song and the 4:13 remix version of the song, both pure unadulterated Corbijn.

Photo: Virgin Media via imcdb.org

Happy 25th Birthday Low-Life.

After watching Anton Corbijn's absolutely stunning Control three times over the weekend, the staff at Waist High thought it fitting to mention that it will be 25 years ago in May that Factory Records released New Order's third album Low-Life (FAC 100), the only New Order album to feature members of the band on its cover and the first to be accompanied by singles that were actually taken from an album.

Low-Life was preceded by the release of an 8:46 version of "The Perfect Kiss," (the 4:48 version appears on the album) and a remix of "Sub-culture" was released as a 12" single in November.

Five years after the death of Ian Curtis ended the band's former life as Joy Division (with the addition of Gillian Gilbert on keyboards), New Order broke into the mainstream with Low-Life, and to this writer's ear it was the first set of recordings that were not overshadowed by that atmospheric spaciousness that is so closely associated with producer Martin Hannett. This was a new sound.

Low-Life was ranked #97 by Q magazine in 2000 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever, and is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

NME Names "Atmosphere" Greatest Goth Track Of All Time.

So says Luke Lewis: "Peter Hook despairs whenever anyone refers to Joy Division as a goth band, but what else were they? Desolate atmospherics, icily reverberating synths, Ian Curtis' portentous baritone. All those qualities found their ultimate expression in 'Atmosphere,' a song whose shattering emotive power is intensified by Anton Corbijn's monochrome video (shot eight years after the song's original release), featuring mysterious hooded figures swarming slowly over a bleached landscape. Most gothic moment: The vast, echoing guitar chords that enter at 3.23."

Of the 20 track list, #18 was The Cult's "She Sells Sanctuary," at #11 was "Love Like Blood" by Killing Joke, #9 was Siouxsie And The Banshees' "Cities In Dust," good old "Bela Lugosi's Dead" was voted #6, "This Corrosion" by The Sisters Of Mercy was #4, and The Cure's "A Forest" was #2.

"Release The Bats - It's The 20 Greatest Goth Tracks" courtesy: NME's Office Blog

"This Lot Was On Stage Because They Had No Fucking Choice."

EAGERLY AWAITED JOY DIVISION DOCUMENTARY RELEASED IN THE UK.

Joy Division was directed by Grant Gee, previously responsible for the acclaimed Radiohead OK Computer tour documentary Meeting People Is Easy.

The new documentary follows hot on the heels of Anton Corbijn's movie Control, which was released in 2007, and concentrated its story on the band's tragic frontman Ian Curtis, who committed suicide in 1980.

Featuring the unprecedented participation of all the surviving band members, Joy Division examines the band's story as depicted through never-before-seen live performance footage, personal photos, period films and newly discovered audiotapes. With poignant narratives from Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook and Stephen Morris, as well as accounts from Throbbing Gristle musician Genesis P. Orridge, late legendary Factory Records owner Tony Wilson, iconic Factory Records graphic artist Peter Saville, photographer/filmmaker Anton Corbijn, Belgian journalist Annik Honore (speaking for the first time about her relationship with Ian Curtis) and others, the film is a fresh visual account of a unique time and place.

From director Grant Gee and producers Tom Atencio, Tom Astor and Jacqui Edenbrow, Joy Division chronicles a time of great social and political change in England and lays bare the untold story of four men who transcended economic and cultural barriers to produce an enduring musical legacy.

Material: nme.com & The Works via vids.myspace.com

Control Wins 5 British Independent Film Awards.

Anton Corbijn's Control, which follows the last years of Ian Curtis before he killed himself on the eve of Joy Division's first US tour, won Best British Independent Film last night. The award ceremony was held at The Roundhouse in North London.

Sam Riley, who plays the iconic singer, was named Most Promising Newcomer and Anton Corbijn won Best Director for his first feature film.

Control, with a soundtrack including New Order, David Bowie, the Sex Pistols and Iggy Pop, also earned Corbijn the Best Debut Director title.

Toby Kebbell, as Joy Division's manager and Factory Records' Rob Gretton, won Best Supporting Actor.

"Created in 1998, The British Independent Film Awards set out to celebrate merit and achievement in independently funded British filmmaking, to honour new talent, and to promote British films and filmmaking to a wider public."

Material: manchestereveningnews.co.uk & bifa.org.uk

"In Control To The End."

As Anton Corbijn's film Control premiered in Edinburgh tonight, the thoughts of all those present were focused on one man. And though the film itself is the emotionally-charged biopic of tragic Joy Division legend Ian Curtis, those thoughts will be of another who looms large in the action - Tony Wilson.

Wilson, who is credited as co-producer of Control, died one week ago today, and as a mark of respect to the man who first signed Joy Division, establishing Factory Records in the process, the screening tonight went ahead in tribute to him.

The film, the directorial debut of rock photographer and Joy Division fan Anton Corbijn, is continuing to cause a stir after its award-winning entry at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.

At the heart of that buzz is the startling debut from Sam Riley as the Joy Division singer. Sam and his co-stars playing Joy Division band members Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook and Stephen Morris, all performed the songs featured in the film. The film, based on Deborah Curtis's memoirs of life with Ian, will get a Manchester premiere on October 4, before going on general release in the UK and America later that week.

The funeral of Tony Wilson, "one of the most significant figures in British music," will take place in Manchester next Monday, it has been announced.

It will be open to family and close friends via invitation only, although there are understood to be plans for a separate memorial service.

Charitable donations can be made to The Christie Hospital in Manchester online at Christies.org/makedonations.html or via post to:

Appeals Office
Christie Hospital NHS Trust
Wilmslow Road
Withington
Manchester
M20 4BX

Photo: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Material: manchestereveningnews.co.uk & uk.news.launch.yahoo.com

A New Order.

No sooner had it been revealed they'd split up, than New Order were back together - for the world premiere of Ian Curtis biopic Control at the Cannes Film Festival.

"It was a bit tetchy, to say the least," reveals bassist Peter Hook. "It was the first time we'd met up since we split up. I mean the thing is, we're 50 years old, not 15, if things don't work out, or someone's not happy you get on with it, you have to."

But the success of the Anton Corbijn-directed movie, which follows the life and tragic death of Joy Division frontman Ian, is providing comfort to Hooky. He says: "I think it's wonderful really that Control is doing so well, it's certainly cheered me up because not having New Order is not the easiest thing in the world, it's like a bereavement to be honest. So it helped me, if you like.

"But the premiere itself was one of the weirdest moments of my life. The film is so powerful, and it's not just me saying that, Anton has such a powerful way of telling the story. At the end, when you've had your heart ripped out and someone's stamping on it, everyone started clapping. It was a very surreal moment. Anton and the actors got a standing ovation, and I was sat there thinking, b***** hell, I lived that. I suppose it's like anybody who's had a film made about them, it was a bizarre surreal moment. I am really proud of what Anton has done. I had a feeling he was really going to do something special, and he has done. He was so passionate about the whole thing, so dedicated."

The remaining members of Joy Division - Hooky, Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris - recorded the soundtrack for the film, recording as Joy Division once again. Hooky says: "The soundtrack sounded fantastic, yes, the idea was to do it as Joy Division, so the three of us did the soundtrack as opposed to with Phil as well."

Since Cannes, the movie has been signed up by mega American film distributors the Weinstein Company, and will go on general release in the UK later this year - probably September.

Hooky says: "It's been picked up for a lot of territories, it's been signed up for nearly every big territory, a lot of people have been on from America congratulating me. The best way you can tell about a film, the true review is how many people go for a pee. If loads of people go for a wee, it's not grabbed them. But [at the premiere] only two people went for a pee, and one of them was Bernard! This film was really holding people's attention."

Photo: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Material: Dianne Bourne via blogs.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

The Weinsteins Take Control.

Control picked up for North American distribution

Harvey Weinstein announced on Monday that The Weinstein Co. has acquired North American rights to Control, the film centered on former Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis.

Control, the feature directorial debut of Dutch music video veteran Anton Corbijn, cleaned up at the Cannes Film Festival's Directors' Fortnight, most notably taking Best European Film honors.

In addition to the Label Europa Cinema prize, Corbijn also received the Prix Regards Jeunes (Young Eyes Prize), awarded to a director's first or second feature film, and an honorable mention for the Prix Art et Essi, awarded for artistic merit and innovation.

The time was the late 1970s, and the post-punk explosion was just gaining momentum in England. At the forefront of this movement was a band named Joy Division. Formed by the former members of a band called the Stiff Kittens, Joy Division favored mood and expression over the aggressive stance that had come to define punk rock.

It was soon after the band was championed by Factory Records founder Tony Wilson that they collaborated with producer Martin Hannett on the album that would become their undisputed masterpiece - 1979's Unknown Pleasures.

But despite the band's rising popularity lead singer Curtis was not in good health, and his condition was gradually deteriorating due to a debilitating case of epilepsy. Unable to resist the temptation of another woman despite the fact that he was married and soon to become a father, tortured singer Curtis hanged himself in his Macclesfield home on the eve of the band's first U.S. tour.

The Weinstein Company was founded by Harvey and Bob Weinstein in 2005 after the pair left the Disney-owned Miramax Films, which they had co-founded in 1979. The Dimension Films label of Miramax followed the brothers to their new company. Advisors to the new studio include Paul Newman and Robert Redford.

Photo: Anton Corbijn
Material: variety.com, movies2.nytimes.com

Meet Sam Riley.

British unknown makes big impression at Cannes

CANNES, France (AP) - A small film about a short-lived rock star is making a big splash at Cannes.

Control - the story of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis, who committed suicide at 23 - marks the movie-directing debut of rock photographer Anton Corbijn and features a star-making central performance from British unknown Sam Riley.

A year ago, Riley was a struggling rock musician who had been dropped by his record label and was forced to take a job in a clothes factory to pay his bills.

Yesterday, his career trajectory took a sharp upward turn after his acting performance as Curtis dazzled the world's film aficionados and made him the unlikely toast of Cannes.

His role as the tumultuous singer from Macclesfield received an ovation at the film's first screening and he was hailed as one of Cannes biggest surprise talents after being plucked from anonymity to star in the biopic by Corbijn, the Dutch-born photographer turned first-time director.

The film, which is the only UK entry selected for Director's Fortnight, a sister to the official selection list, had its premiere last night at a red carpet ceremony attended by Curtis's former band members, who reformed as New Order after his death.

If the enthusiastic reception in Cannes is any indication, Riley can give up the day job. He is riveting as Curtis, an intense, charismatic performer who often appeared remote offstage.

Netherlands-born Corbijn, who photographed Joy Division for British music magazines and went on to design album covers for Depeche Mode and U2, said he knew as soon as he met Riley that he was perfect for the part.

Pale and big-eyed, Riley resembles Curtis - but more importantly, said Corbijn, he "had an innocence and a freshness that I was hoping for but never thought I would find."

Adapted from a memoir by Curtis' widow Deborah - played in the film by Samantha Morton - Control is an intense but far from grim experience. Shot through with down-to-earth northern English humour, it features a soundtrack that runs from David Bowie and Roxy Music to the Sex Pistols. Joy Division's songs were convincingly re-created for the film by the actors, who all played their own instruments.

Photo: AP/Andrew Medichini
Material: canada.com & enjoyment.independent.co.uk

Control. A Film By Anton Corbijn.

Anton Corbijn's film Control will open Cannes' 39th Directors' Fortnight on Thursday, May 17

Synopsis: Control is a black and white fictional account of the life and death of Ian Curtis, lead singer of the legendary post-punk rock band, Joy Division, which would become New Order after Curtis's death.

Devoured by his demons, torn between his family life, his growing fame and his love for another woman, Curtis committed suicide on May 18, 1980 at the age of 23, on the eve of Joy Division's first U.S. tour. Without realizing it, Ian Curtis changed the face of rock music.

Anton Corbijn, a world-rank photographer, has also directed video clips for U2, Depeche Mode, New Order, Nirvana, Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, among others.

Fabrique de Films will release the film in France on September 26, 2007.

Since 1969, the French Directors Guild has programmed a selection of films in Cannes from around the world, known as the Directors' Fortnight that is independent from the Cannes Official Selection.

Photo: controlthemovie.com
Material: quinzaine-realisateurs.com & indiewire.com

Control.

Joy Division film to be screened at Cannes

The forthcoming Joy Division movie based on the life of late frontman Ian Curtis is to feature at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

The biopic, directed by Anton Corbijn, has been chosen to open the Directors' Fortnight section of the prestigious event next month.

Based on the book Touching From a Distance, by Curtis' widow, Control trails the final years of the Joy Division singer, who committed suicide in 1980.

Corbijn's film debut feature focuses on the singer's rise to fame, as well as his relationships and his struggle with epilepsy.

Leeds newcomer Sam Riley (will play Curtis) and German actress Alexandra Maria Lara will play the part of his lover Annik Honore. Curtis' widow is played by Oscar-nominated actress Samantha Morton.

The Killers have contributed a cover of the 1979 Joy Division track "Shadowplay" - which they debuted at this year's Shockwaves NME Awards - for the film's soundtrack and New Order have recorded the incidental music for the movie.

Cannes' Directors' Fortnight takes place from May 17-27.

Photo: controlthemovie.com
Material: nme.com

Ian Curtis' fate was said to have been set after attending a Sex Pistols concert in 1976, where he convinced himself his destiny lay as a performer rather than just a fan. One thing led to another and Curtis got to know a young Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook. Sumner and Hook told Curtis that they were trying to form a band and he simultaneously put himself forward as a vocalist and lyricist, an offer they accepted. The three of them recruited (and sacked) a sucession of drummers before settling on Stephen Morris as their final member. They called themselves Warsaw for a short while before changing their name to Joy Division in 1978.

"Love Will Tear Us Apart," released one month before Curtis' suicide in May 1980, was voted the number 1 single of all time by the New Musical Express in a 2003 poll, and number 179 of Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. It was also one of the four songs nominated for the 'Greatest British Song of the Last 25 Years' award at the 2005 Brit Awards.

Filming began this week on the film Control, the long awaited Ian Curtis biopic. Popular rock photographer Anton Corbijn will direct, while former Factory Records head Anthony Wilson will executive produce. New Order will compose the score for the film.

Material: wikipedia.org

Happy Birthday Ian Curtis.

Born in 1956, Ian Curtis formed Stiff Kittens in 1976 with Peter Hook and Bernard Sumner. Stiff Kittens became Warsaw became Joy Division.

Two top ten albums, Closer and Still soon followed, but "Love Will Tear Us Apart," first performed on a 1979 Peel session, was to be the band's first and only appearance in the singles chart during their lifetime. On May 18, 1980, Ian Curtis, recently diagnosed with epilepsy, was found hanged in his kitchen. Though the remaining members of Joy Division were to re-emerge as New Order, the haunting "Love Will Tear Us Apart" will forever remain a monument to Ian Curtis' tragic talent.

The film Control, based on the book Touching From A Distance, written by Curtis' widow Deborah, goes into production in July and will be directed by Anton Corbijn. Rights for the book had been among the most sought after in the world.