Ian Curtis movie -- Official Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUTHORIZED IAN CURTIS/JOY DIVISION FILM TO BE PRODUCED BY CLARAFLORA WITH COOPERATION OF DEBORAH CURTIS

EXCLUSIVE OPTION GRANTED TO ORIAN WILLIAMS AND TODD ECKERT OF CLARAFLORA FOR BIOGRAPHY TOUCHING FROM A DISTANCE

The exclusive option for film rights to the Ian Curtis biography “Touching From a Distance” was granted to the Los Angeles and Pittsburgh-based production company Claraflora today. The company’s principals, Orian Williams and Todd Eckert, have been working closely with author Deborah Curtis, who is the widow of the Joy Division front man who committed suicide in 1980 at the age of 23, and production of the film is expected for early 2005.

Rights for the book have been among the most sought-after in the world since it was published in 1995. Curtis agreed to make the film with Claraflora after meetings in London and Manchester gave her a comfort level that the producers would be respectful to the truth of her husband’s life and legacy. The agreement was structured by Claraflora and Annie Garwood at the book’s publisher Faber and Faber in London. Curtis will also serve as co-producer on the film.

“We’re looking to give the world a truthful view of who Ian really was,” said Eckert. “Given his suicide, there’s so much concentration on the dark side of his life. We want to also concentrate on the energy that made people love Ian and Joy Division in the first place, while putting difficult elements such as his epilepsy into perspective. It will be a balanced approach—this isn’t the rock and roll Shine.”

“We’re very excited and grateful for the right to make this film,” said Williams, on location in the California desert where he is producing Tennis Anyone? with Donal Logue and Jason Isaacs. “It’s the most important music-oriented story in the world, and so relevant on a human level.”

The producers are currently in negotiations with directors and actors to drive the film. Script elements are being finalized, though the writer is expected to come from the Manchester area. There has been no selection of a music supervisor to date, though several bands have already come forward to express interest in participating in the film. The producers have also met with Rebecca Boulton, New Order’s manager, regarding the band’s potential involvement in the film.

“We’re very supportive of Debbie and trust she’ll do whatever’s best with the film,” said Boulton. “Right now we’re concentrating on recording the new album, but after that’s finished we’ll definitely be looking at it.”

Williams’ last film was Shadow of the Vampire with Willem DaFoe and John Malkovich. Eckert, a finance veteran for film, video games and music, is making his debut as producer.

On the picture, it's Deborah Curtis, and Orian Williams of the producting company. Interesting fact, the picture was taken by Natalie Curtis. (April 2004)

Oh, that came with the picture:

Deborah Curtis, widow of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis, and Orian Williams of Claraflora, LLC, during a production meeting for the film based on her book Touching From a Distance, in Manchester, UK, April 2004.

Not pictured but in attendance: Todd Eckert of Clarflora, Natalie Curtis. Claraflora and Deborah Curtis are producing a film on Ian Curtis’ life based upon Touching From a Distance.

On the bright side, many of you don't like the fact it will be done by Americans (but the script will be written by somebody in Manchester), but Orian Williams' last movie, Shadow of the Vampire was sure not a typical hollywood movie.

It was nominated at the Oscars, a sign that it's not your typical hollywood movie ;)

From my understanding, it's the same project...

Joy division as second Curtis biopic announced

Xan Brooks Friday May 21, 2004

Isn't it always the way? You wait 24 years for a biopic of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis and then two roll along at once. Barely 48 hours after the announcement of pre-production on the film Transmission by the team behind Secretary comes news of a rival production based on the memoir Touching from a Distance, written by the singer's widow. No doubt both films plan to cover the key events of Curtis's life: his formation of the seminal post-punk Manchester band, his bouts with depression and his suicide in May 1980 at the age of 23. It appears likely, though, that only one of the movies will now see the light of day.

It had been reported that the company behind Transmission, Double A Films, had secured the rights to the Deborah Curtis book. However, Christopher McHugh, UK representative for the American production house Claraflora, today told the Guardian that this was "a complete fabrication".

Instead, it appears that Double A's option had lapsed and was then picked up by a rival company. Claraflora yesterday secured an exclusive option on Touching from a Distance from publishers Faber and Faber and will now begin developing the project with a Manchester-based writer.

The film will be produced by Orian Williams (Shadow of a Vampire) and Todd Eckert. "We're looking to give the world a truthful picture view of who Ian really was," says Eckert. "Given his suicide. there's so much concentration on the dark side of his life. We want to concentrate on the energy that made people love Ian and Joy Division in the first place ... It will be a balanced approach - this isn't the rock-and-roll Shine."

There is no word on the film's title as yet, although a peeved Eckert admits that he "would really like to use Transmission." He adds: "At the moment we're calling it Touching From a Distance, because that's the name of the property. But I will bet you any money than the title will change before the film's release."

So yes, it's 2 movies...

Candy :p

Yeah, but which one? :D

Originally posted by His Holiness, The Pope > Originally posted by Spotnick> Yeah, but which one? :D

And can we really trust the French?

It's from Belgium I think.. (with that name) :p