At number three on our countdown of the best music movies is the latest release in this genre Control. Released in 2007 Control, which is shot completely in black and white was the talk of the 2007 festival circuit.Based on Deborah Curtis' memoir Touching From A Distance Anton Corbijn's Control follows the short life of Joy Division's front man Ian Curtis.Ian Curtis has dreams and aspirations beyond the trappings of his life in Macclesfield in the 1970s, he wants to emulate his heroes David Bowie and Iggy Pop.When band Joy Division kick off his musical ambitions begin to thrive but even as the band begins to rise Curtis begins to fall apart.Diagnosed with epilepsy he is prescribed a cocktail of drugs that make him ill-equipped to deal with fame and fatherhood.An affair with Belgian fanzine writer Annik Honore signals the end of Curtis' marriage to loyal wife Debbie.

With increasing problems with his epilepsy adding to his guilt and depression, desperation takes hold. Surrendering to the weight on his shoulders, Ian's tortured soul consumes him.

Like 24 Hour Party People Control looks at the music scene in Manchester, led by Tony Wilson, in the early 1970s.

However unlike 24 Hour Party People Control delves into the character of Ian Curtis highlighting his fears of his condition of his epilepsy and his difficulty dealing with the spotlight he found himself under.

While there is a toe tapping soundtrack this is not a nostalgia trip this is a serious and in depth of the downfall of a singer songwriter who had so much potential.

The film launched the career of Sam Riley, who played Curtis his performance won him Best Actor at the Edinburgh and Chicago Film Festival as the film became the talk of the 2007 festival circuit.

He also went on to win breakthrough awards at the British Independence Film Awards and Hollywood Life Awards.

The film won four other awards including "Best British Independent Film", "Best Director of a British Independent Film" for Corbijn.

Corbijn also went on to collect the BAFTA's Carl Foreman award for special achievement by a British director, writer or producer in their first feature film.

Control is a tender picture that shows the desperation of Curtis making a music icon appear human again.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw