Control (2007) is a critically acclaimed biographical film directed by Anton Corbijn, which tells the tragic and poignant story of Ian Curtis, the lead singer of the iconic post-punk band Joy Division. The film is based on the memoir Touching from a Distance by Curtis’s wife, Deborah Curtis, and it explores the personal struggles, relationships, and mental health issues that shaped Ian Curtis’s life and ultimately led to his untimely death at the age of 23.

Set in the late 1970s, the film portrays Curtis’s rise to fame as the frontman of Joy Division, a band known for their dark, atmospheric sound and introspective lyrics. Sam Riley plays the role of Ian Curtis, capturing the complexity of the musician’s personality and the intensity of his performances. Curtis is depicted as a highly talented but deeply troubled individual, grappling with a combination of personal and emotional struggles, including epilepsy, depression, and the pressures of his burgeoning music career.

At the heart of the film is Curtis’s complicated personal life. He is shown to have a loving but strained marriage to Deborah (played by Samantha Morton), while simultaneously engaging in a turbulent affair with Annik Honoré (played by Alexandra Maria Lara), a Belgian journalist. The tension between his domestic life and his extramarital affair is a key theme in the film, as Curtis struggles to balance his commitments to both women while dealing with the overwhelming pressures of his health and career.

Control also explores the impact of Curtis’s mental health issues on his relationships and his music. His battle with epilepsy, which he struggled with throughout his life, is depicted in the film as a major factor in his sense of isolation and despair. The film’s cinematography, often in black-and-white, reflects the stark and haunting mood of Curtis’s life, adding to the somber tone of the story.