# Control (2007 film)

Control is Anton Corbijn's 2007 black-and-white biopic about the late Ian Curtis (1956-1980), lead singer of post-punk band Joy Division. The screenplay written by Matt Greenhalgh is based on the book Touching from a Distance, by Curtis's wife, Deborah, who is also a co-producer of the film.

## Ian Curtis

* Existence, well, what does it matter? I exist in the best terms I can. The past is now part of my future. The present is well out of hand.
* I wish I were a Warhol silkscreen, hanging on the wall.
* It says here... usually prescribed for schizophrenia. Side effects include drowsiness, apathy, agitation, and blurred vision :(pause)... I'm taking two.
* When you're looking at life in a strange new room... maybe drowning soon. Is this the start of it all?

## DJ Rob Gretton

* I already manage a couple of bands, but between you and me, they couldn't sniff the sweat around your bollocks. You lot are something else. I hold my hands up! I am a believer in Joy Division! Fucking hallelujah!

## Dialogue

    Ian: (touches a butterfly shape on the glass window) My heart leaps when I behold, a rainbow in the sky. So it was my life began, so is it now, I am a man. So it be when I shall grow old, or let me die. The child is the father of the man. And I could wish my days to be bound by natural piety. (sits down on the bed)
    Nick: ... Did you write that?
    Ian: (hands over a box of cigarettes to Debbie who refuses the offer) You can't be in my gang if you don't smoke.
    Debbie: (I) don't wanna be in your gang.
    Ian: Neither do I.
    Ian: Mrs. Brady please can I use your toilet please?
    Mrs. Brady: Of course you can, love. Second on the left down the hall.
    Ian: Thank you.
    Mrs. Brady: ... Where was I? Oh yes.
    (Ian goes to the bathroom and raids the medicine cabinet.)
    Debbie: It's a shame Nick couldn't come.
    Ian: He did say I could go out with you. He said it was alright, as long as I looked after you.
    Debbie: Did he now?
    Ian: Well I didn't want you thinking we were going behind his back or anything.
    Debbie: That's a bit presumptuous don't you think?
    Ian: Why?
    Debbie: I might not (have) wanted to go out with you.
    (Ian looks at her, and they share a kiss.)
    Peter Hook: You know I don't mind the Buzz, but calling themselves cocks... (I) don't get it.
    Ian: Well they're not calling themselves the Cocks are they? They're calling themselves the Buzzcocks.
    Peter: (mumbles)... Just couldn't stand for it, that's all.
    Ian: You're a twat you are. You're a bastard.
    Tony Wilson: ..am I? Why is that?
    Ian: Because you haven't put us on television.
    Rob Gretton: I know how you can be better just like that (snaps his finger).
    Ian: Go on then.
    Rob: Simple. You employ me. You play, I manage. We all get stinking rich and famous and go buy great big fucking houses in Cheshire.

## Cast

* Sam Riley - Ian Curtis
* Samantha Morton - Deborah Curtis
* Alexandra Maria Lara - Annik Honoré
* Joe Anderson - Peter Hook
* Toby Kebbell - Rob Gretton
* Craig Parkinston - Tony Wilson
* James Anthony Pearson - Bernard Summer
* Harry Treadaway - Stephen Morris
* Andrew Sheridan - Terry Mason
* Robert Shelly - Twinny
* Matthew McNulty - Nick Jackson
* Ben Naylor - Martin Hannett
* John Cooper Clarke - himself
* Lotti Closs - Gillian Gilbert
* Herbert Grönemeyer - Public GP