Countdown to Ian Curtis' (of Joy Division) Movie: Control

Almost a month after its release in the United States, Control comes to Calgary's Plaza Theatre. This Friday, November 9th marks the Calgary opening of the award winning documentary about Joy Division's Ian Curtis, his rise to fame and the dramas he faces while trying to find balance in what he realizes might not be the life he wants.

The movie follows Curtis' life, tracking his early musical influences and showing his young marriage. Sam Riley provides a convincing portrayel of the young star as his fame grows and the complexity of his life builds. For fans of Joy Division, there are definitely some great recreations of concerts. Even more so, this movie provides a touching documentation of a troubled life that could have been anyones.

Control has claimed rave reviews and massive crowd appeal already at Vancouver and Montreal Film Festivals where it opened September 7th and October 18th, respectively. Anton Corbijn (director) received three awards (Golden Camera - Special Mention, Lavel Europa Cinemas and Prix Regards Jeunes) at the Cannes Film Festival this year as well as winning Best New British Film and Sam Riley (playing Ian Curtis) taking the award for Best Performance at the Edinburgh Film Festival. Not to mention the various other festivals and showings in England, North America and around the world where Control has taken top recognition from audiences and critics alike.

I talked to Pete, manager at the Plaza Theatre about bringing Anton Corbijn's Control to Calgary. It may be one of the biggest films the Plaza has shown to date with it being signed on to Alliance (in Canada). It took good planning and luck to land the movie on the arthouse screen. For Pete it is a "matter of knocking on the door and pitching yourself," and the Plaza has what it takes. There seem few other venues well suited to such an edgy and cool movie. The Plaza "strives to show films that have music cred, film festival recognition and are really cool," says Pete.

With the exclusive opening rights to such a big movie they hope to see some people who haven't been down to the Plaza for a while or ever before. Hopefully the movie will do well and pave roads for other big releases at the Plaza. In fact, Bob Dylan's bio pic, I'm Not There by director Todd Haynes will be coming to the Plaza in December.

Opening night should be a riot. As well, the good people at Beatroute magazine (check out their cover story this month) have put together a special event at no extra charge than the price of regular admission. After the 9:45pm screening local bands Sudden Infant Dance Syndrome, the Ostrich, Kris Ellestad, Barbara and Prussia will perform a couple Joy Division covers each. There will also be a Friday matinee at 5pm for the early birds and Control will be showing at the Plaza (1133 Kensington Road NW) for a few weeks. Check local listings for show times.