24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE
UK, 2002, 117 minutes, Colour.
Steve Coogan, Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, Ron Cook, John Simm, Andy Serkis, Christopher Ecclestone, Simon Pegg, Rob Brydon.
Directed by Michael Winterbottom.
A long time ago (well, from 1981 at least), in a far, far galaxy (well, Manchester, UK), Rave Clubs came into being. Michael Winterbottom is a top director and this film is made with flair.
However, its main appeal will be to a younger demographic as they say and one that is familiar with some of the characters whose careers, lives (and deaths) are dramatised here.
Despite a fine performance by Steve Coogan as entrepreneur Tony Wilson, the film does not open up to audiences unfamiliar with the times, the places, the people and the issues.
1. A slice of UK music history? Television, bands, performances?
2. The title, focus on Tony Wilson, his providing a venue for music, dance? The work of Michael Winterbottom? Collaborations with Steve Coogan? Manchester life?
3. The range of bands, from the 1970s and 1980s? Individuals, leaders, singers, performances? The development of other bands? A focus on Joy Division, on Ian Curtis, other singers and bands?
4. Tony Wilson, the opening with the hang gliding, his television program, And So It Goes…? Seeing different programs through the film?
5. Wilson as a personality, his talking to the audience in explaining the history, that the film was not about himself but about the music and the bands? His involvement? His personal life, marriage to Lindsay, their relationship, sharing, the work, his going to the van, the sexual encounter? Lindsay and her revenge? The second marriage, not prominent, his wife in hospital, his talk about his children?
6. The idea for The Factory? The music? The discussions, the venue, discussions with Tony, the owner, Wilson’s petulance about the name, priorities? Rob and the others associated with the development of The Factory? The various characters, their singing capacities, auditions, Wilson’s response? The opening, small? Growing? His comment on how many were at the Last Supper? His record label, Joy Division? The focus on Ian Curtis, his personality, his performance, his anger, antagonism towards Wilson, his death after listening to the music, killing himself, lying in his coffin?
7. The aftermath, the establishment of the Hacienda and the crowds, the dancing, its success?
8. Wilson and his personal behaviour, people working as his assistants, the clashes, his domination, the board meetings, the clashes with Rob? The technicians? Advice?
9. Looking at this era in English music in retrospect?
