So the long awaited film “Control,” about the illfated frontman of Joy Division Ian Curtis, is arriving in Chicago this week. I have been waiting with baited breath for this film for a number of reasons. Least of which is the prospect of watching two hours of images constructed by Anton Corbjin. Corbjin is known for making stunning music videos and extracting all color to leave you with unexpectedly rich black and white images. Usually each frame would be acceptable as a photograph and from the trailers and clips of “Control” that I’ve seen so far the film will be no exception.
I am always intrigued by music video directors who venture into film becuase they have an even bigger canvas to work with and still somehow manage to translate their unique language into auctual stories. Some of my fav. video to film directors are David Fincher (Fight Club), Mark Romenek (One Hour Photo) and Michel Gondry (The Science of Sleep). Most of the time my personal affections for the director will trump whether or not the story is even remotley engaing because I am so “into the pretty pictures.”
“Control,” however promises to be more than just “pretty.” The story of Ian Curtis is compelling when taking into account his ”complicated” love life, the epilepsy, and the origins of an iconic band. In contrast, on a personal level, the boys/men I’ve known with “issues” somehow always manage to make me love them even more for it. I get the feeling Curtis’ story will be reminiscent of this, but then again I’m a sucker for a pretty face. And I digress…
Here are a couple of clips for you to see what I mean about the directors, and if you get the chance go see Control.
Michel Gondry:
Mark Romanek:
Anton Corbijn:
1 response so far ↓
Cara // November 16, 2007 at 1:09 pm |
More and more I find reasons that we are connected.
Your love of directors being similar to mine, your ability to see past the lack of story line because of the beauty of the film.
To this day I am mesmerized by Fight Club for so many reasons.
Just two days ago, I broke down and ordered my own copy of the Michel Gondry video collection because I no longer had access to the borrowed copy I have been raping all these years.
And, although I get a lot of flack about this one…I love “Bram Stokers Dracula”! Bad acting? yes! Keanu Reeves? Need I say more? But that movie is so visually stunning that I can just turn off the volume and watch the scenes, pointing out every little detail to the poor sucker who has been forced to watch it with me, reminding them of the homage that Coppola was paying to Jean Cocteau’s La Belle et la Bete.
Yes, I am a geek!