Shadow Play: The Making of Anton Corbijn

Anton Corbijn is a master of music photography and has been a catalyst behind the rising stars of some of the world’s biggest bands over the last two decades. Seen as a visionary among artists, he is called upon to shape profiles and capture the moods beyond the stage persona. He has worked extensively for more than a decade with U2, toured with Joy Division and shot a multitude of performers such as David Bowie, Nirvana, Morrissey, Bjork, Captain Beefheart and Depeche Mode (to mention just a few).

Born into a conservative, religious family in the Netherlands, Corbijn started his photography career working in the Dutch music industry. His photographs were dubbed to “too dark” by the Dutch music press so, refusing to alter his style, Corbijn left the Netherlands and headed to London. It is this foresight and his passion that has gained the respect of artists and industry alike.

Candid interviews from Bono, Kurt Cobain, Helena Christensen and Chris Martin describe the working process between photographer and artists, and the mutual respect that is held between them.

Absolutely tight-lipped about his private life, Corbijn allows cameras to follow him into his working domain, particularly on the set of Control. A Ian Curtis biopic, this was Corbijn’s first feature-length film, which proved to be a labor of love as Corbijn mortgaged his house to finance the film himself.

Having had success and failure directing music videos in the past, Corbijn talks freely of the stresses when making the film and why he felt the need to keep going.

Shadow Play is a rare look behind the scenes of a driven artist with a vision beyond what the commercial market can see. Though heavily sort after, Corbijn is uncompromising and will only work with people and on projects he chooses. This is a film that offers you an insight into the mind of a visionary.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Shadow Play: The Making of Anton Corbijn
Director: Josh Whiteman
Stars: Anton Corbijn, Bono, Helena Christensen and Chris Martin
Australia, 2009/2001, 76 mins

Out now on DVD
Distributor: Madman
Rated M

Below: Watch the preview for Corbijn's film Control