Watch Joy Division

Joy Division is a 2007 biopic that chronicles the brief but impactful career of the legendary post-punk band of the same name. The film is directed by Grant Gee and features interviews with former members of the band, as well as friends, family, and collaborators. The film begins by tracing the roots of Joy Division's sound and aesthetic, which emerged from the grim post-industrial landscape of Manchester, England in the late 1970s. Through interviews with the band's manager Richard Boon and photographer Kevin Cummins, we learn about the key musical influences on Joy Division, such as the Velvet Underground and Iggy Pop, as well as their collaborative process and their early live shows.

The film then moves into a more detailed exploration of the band's career, beginning with their first recorded material in 1978 and culminating in lead singer Ian Curtis's tragic suicide in 1980. Along the way, we see Joy Division's rise to prominence on the Manchester and London music scenes, with extended interviews with key figures like Factory Records founder Tony Wilson and journalist Paul Morley.

Throughout the film, we are given a sense of the intense emotions and relationships that shaped Joy Division's music, particularly the partnership between Curtis and bassist Peter Hook. There is also a focus on the band's unique visual style, including the iconic cover art for their debut album Unknown Pleasures.

What sets Joy Division apart from other rock documentaries, however, is its unflinching portrayal of Ian Curtis's struggles with mental illness and his eventual suicide. Through a combination of archival footage, interviews, and reenactments, the film shows the toll that Curtis's depression and epilepsy took on his personal and professional life, and the devastating impact of his death on those who knew him.

At the same time, Joy Division celebrates the band's enduring legacy and the influence they continue to have on contemporary music. Interviews with artists like Radiohead's Thom Yorke and New Order's Stephen Morris highlight the ongoing impact of Joy Division's sound and vision, while live footage of the band's performances show why they remain such a beloved and influential group.

Overall, Joy Division is a powerful and moving tribute to one of the most unique and enduring bands in rock history. It offers a rare glimpse into the lives and personalities of the band members, as well as the social and cultural context that shaped their music. For fans of Joy Division and post-punk in general, this film is an essential viewing experience.

Joy Division is a 2007 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.