Control
Friday, October 19, through Thursday, October 25, (1:00, 4:00), 7:50, 9:00 p.m., $7.25, 9.50
Nuart Theatre, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd., WLA, 310.473.8530
For Joy Division fans, the years-long wait will be over on October 19, when Control opens for a week-long engagement at the Nuart Theatre. Directed by Anton Corbijn, best known for his work in photography and music videos (including clips for Depeche Mode, Echo and the Bunnymen, and U2), Control is the story of Joy Division’s lead singer Ian Curtis, who committed suicide hours before the band was to embark on its first American tour. Based on the book Touching from a Distance, written by Curtis’ wife Deborah, the film looks at his life with Deborah, his band’s rise to prominence, and the singer’s struggles with epilepsy and an extramarital affair. Control stars Sam Riley, who was previously seen in another Joy Division related film 24 Hour Party People, as Ian Curtis and Samantha Morton (Sweet and Lowdown) as Deborah. Reily will be at the Nuart in person on Sunday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. and 9:50 p.m.
Russian Patriarchate Choir
Monday, October 22, 8:00 p.m., $24-$46
Royce Hall, 340 Royce Drive, WW, 310.825.2101Directed by Anatoly Gridenko, the Russian Patriarchate Choir was founded in 1983, when showing an interest in religious music was still frowned upon by the Soviet government. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the 12-man ensemble went on to perform at church services in Russia and have traveled across the world to a mixture of traditional Orthodox hymns, medieval chants, and Russian folk music. This is the group’s first engagement at Royce Hall and is part of a string of U.S. dates.