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From 1976 to 1992 one of the epicenters of the music world was the grey, economically depressed industrial city of Manchester, England. An early hotbed of punk, the town went on to lead the trend in such world-changing styles as brooding electronic post-punk, acid house dance music and the seeds of today’s rave culture. Behind it all was Factory Records, a label founded by two Sex Pistols fans, Tony Wilson and Rob Gretton, that went on to release the work of such seminal bands as Joy Division, New Order, the Happy Mondays and a host of others. With an advanced production sound that built on the do-it-yourself energy of punk and a distinctive industrial look to its album art, Factory was key in defining the worldwide underground cutting edge for much of its existence.

This film tells the label’s story with great affection and a keen attention to detail. Using actors in place of the real participants, many of whom are still alive, director Winterbottom manages to capture almost two decades of charged cultural history in just under two hours. Much of this is due to the willing involvement of such key figures as Tony Wilson and Joy

Division/New Order members Peter Hook and Bernard Sumner. Indeed, the numerous performance sequences—some of which featured actors who had never played an instrument—were overseen by Martin Moscrop, the guitarist for ACertain Ratio, which was one of Factory’s most successful acts.

Particular attention was also paid to recreating the Hacienda, the infamous dance club the Factory owners opened in 1982 which helped give rise to the acid house sound that’s still popular today. Measurements were taken from the foundations of the original, now-demolished building and an accurate interior was constructed using photos from a Manchester post-grad who’d done a thesis on the venue. For the actual filming, original DJs Dave Haslam and Mike Pickering were brought in once again to mix the decks and numerous club regulars returned for one last party.

The result of all this care is a film that lies somewhere between a gritty documentary and an epic feature. But that’s mostly because the astounding events the movie depicts are all true.

Director: Michael Winterbottom
2001
117 Minutes
UK
Editor: Michael Winterbottom
Production co: Revolution Films/Baby Cow
Producer: Andrew Eaton
Screenplay: Frank Cottrell Boyce
Photography: Robby Muller
Production designer: Mark Tildesley
Costume designers: Natalie Ward, Stephen Noble
Sound: Stuart Wilson, Aad Wirtz, John Falcini
Music supervisor: Liz Gallacher
Music: Joy Division, Happy Mondays, The Durutti Column
New Order, Siouxsie and The Banshees, The Buzzcocks
The Jam, The Sex Pistols, Iggy Pop, The Stranglers, The Clash

Cast
Tony Wilson: Steve Coogan
Alan Erasmus: Lennie James
Lindsay Wilson: Shirley Henderson
Rob Gretton: Paddy Considine
Martin Hannett: Andy Serkis
Ian Curtis: Sean Harris
Bernard Summer: John Simm
Peter Hook: Ralf Little
Shaun Ryder: Danny Cunningham
Bez: Chris Coghill
Paul Ryder: Paul Popplewell
Roger Ames: Keith Allen

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Steve Coogan on 24 Hour Party People

Steve explains why he has so much respect for the real Tony Wilson and why he is worthy of his legendary status.
Tony Wilson also talks about the embarassment of having a film made about himself. Michael Winterbottom reveals the generous side of Tony's character.

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