Blog Archives
Auteur of the Week – Anton Corbijn
I first discovered Anton Corbijn, or at least put a name to his work, in the summer of 2005 when The Killers released their video for All The Things I’ve Done. It was directed by Corbijn and was most definitely an homage to Russ Meyers’ cult classic Faster Pussy Cat Kill Kill. I decided I had to watch everything he’d ever done, which is an impressive amount of really fantastic music videos starting as early as late 80s. I also discovered that he was the photographer responsible for some of the most iconic rock photographs of the last 35 years. About two years later I discovered the band Joy Division, a band that has subsequently become my all time favorite band. Corbijn is responsible for some of the most haunting photographs taken of that short-lived post-punk band, so it was a natural choice, I think, to have Corbijn helm the 2007 biopic of Joy Division’s ill-fated lead singer Ian Curtis. I actually was working for The Daily Californian at the time and reviewed the film at that time, which you can read here. Corbijn has directed two extremely solid films in the last three years and I absolutely cannot wait for him to make another film.
Current Obsession: Anton Corbijn’s Photo Blog for The American
Anton Corbijn is one of my favorite photographers. Incidentally, due to his amazing work on his debut film – 2007’s Joy Division/Ian Curtis biopic Control, he is also one of my favorite filmmakers. His camerawork is just so luscious and his point of view so clear. September 1st sees the debut of his sophomore effort, the George Clooney anchored spy-thriller The American. I am pretty stoked for this film. The trailer looks amazing. The poster art is all kinds of fabulous vintage paperback pulp fiction awesomeness. But what has really excited me the most is Corbijn’s photo blog over on Focus Features’ site. The blog has been up since February and includes beautifully shot photos of Clooney, as well as other cast members, mixed in with cute anecdotes about the photos. I’m going to share my two favorite photos, but you should really go to the site and read Corbijn’s posts as well!
Don’t forget to check the photo blog out: http://focusfeatures.com/profile/anton_corbijn
“Somewhere”, “Never Let Me Go” trailers
Rewatching the trailer for The American reminded me that in the last two days trailers have gone online for two other films I’m looking forward to this year: Sofia Coppola’s Somewhere and Mark Romanek’s Never Let Me Go.
Poster for Anton Corbijn’s ‘The American’
This is one of my most anticipated films of the year. Anton Corbijn’s debut film, 2007’s Ian Curtis biopic Control is one of my favorite films of all time. I think Corbijn’s background as a photographer and music video director gives him a really great point of view when it comes to his films. Add to the mix George Clooney, who has pretty much, aside from one or two not-so-great films, been on fire for the last ten years and you’ve really got something. Look for the trailer after the cut.