Perusing the "Hollywood Elsewhere" comments sections (always a colorful atmosphere), I came across this clip of Joy Division performing "Transmission" on the BBC's "Something Else" in 1979 mashed up with the same sequence from Anton Corbijn's "Control."  Take a look:

The visual similarities between Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis and Sam Riley remain the most eerie aspect of Corbijn's casting decision.  I just sat next to Riley Monday evening at a SAG screening and Q&A for the film, and the guy just seems to have been made to play the part.

Riley had what he called a "failed experience" fronting a band himself, which certainly helped at least build some foundation for playing the part of Curtis.  But now he just hopes to keep working as an actor.  Noting to the crowd that this was his "first acting job," the audience let out a few gasps of disbelief.  (He's had some experience on television, but "Control" is Riley's first real barbecue.)

The actor was in town for one night only this week, sitting down for a few interviews on Monday, handling Variety's praise as one of 10 Actors to Watch at the Hollywood Film Awards and taking queries at thethe evening screening before heading back across the pond Tuesday morning...to which he and his film were greeted by a field-leading 10 British Independent Film Award nominations.

By the way, Movie City News' Gurus 'o Gold chalked Riley up Tuesday as one of a slew of potential "unexpected" Oscar nominees come January, and I happen to think they might be on to something.  Riley is a revelation in the film, and he certainly charmed the pants off that SAG Nominating Committee screening, Heineken in hand, nervous at the sudden attention.

Not a bad week for those involved with this Cannes-sensation-turned-Oscar-hopeful.