Have You Watched The Album ?

6 Apr 200911

Anton Corbijn has been helping to define U2 since 1982, producing iconic photographic images that capture the sound and feeling of each new album. Think of the band in the snow for 'War', in the desert for 'The Joshua Tree' or at the departure gate for 'All That You Can't Leave Behind' and you are thinking of an Anton Corbijn shot.

This work has established the Dutchman as one of the greatest rock photographers of all time, with a unique style - but he won fresh acclaim with his debut movie 'Control', the hit of the Cannes Film Festival after its release in 2007.

For the new album U2 asked Corbijn not just to take the pictures but also to make a film to accompany 'No Line On The Horizon'. The result is 'Linear': not a music video but a companion piece that takes themes from the songs and turns them into a mesmerising road trip.

You can unlock a download of the film by buying the digipack, magazine or hardback book box format of the album. Here, in a two-part chat from The Hague, where he now lives, Corbijn reveals the origins of 'Linear' and some of the secrets of his work with U2.


How did 'Linear' come about?
Linear was born when we were in Morocco in June 2007. I did some filming with the band, including some bits where I asked them not to move. It was like a photograph done on film in which they were still but there were lots of other things moving, such as birds flying around. Bono then thought it would be an idea that if you downloaded an album, instead of looking at the sleeve in your hands you could have something else that moves a little bit. That stuck with him. In May last year they asked if I was interested in making something moving for the duration of the album. I filmed in July and edited in August.

Why did you choose to interpret the album in this way?
The direction was given by Bono's departure from writing lyrics out of his own experience. He had invented five characters to write songs from or about. One of them was a motor cop in Paris, of North African origin, who packs it all in and wants to go back to his girlfriend in North Africa. I took that one character and developed the idea as a linear story that plays out over the course of the album. Two songs are close to music videos, but the others are more like video art and all that on-the-road footage we have all seen. Easy Rider for the 21st Century, sort of thing.

Can you describe what happens during the course of the film?
You see a little of the life of the motor cop and that he hates what is happening between immigrants and police in Paris. At the end of the first firm he stops for a graffiti sign that says, in French, 'Fuck The Police'. He burns his bike then decides to go on his own machine to southern Spain to cross the Mediterranean to North Africa. On the way there are landscapes, there are introspective parts where he contemplates, and there's also still reference to different things happening, for example in 'Being Born', but he withstands it all and continues on his journey. It all takes place over about 24 hours.

Which of the songs on the album are about or written from the perspective of the character in your film, the Parisian cop?
I have no idea. I haven't translated the lyrics into visuals, although some of the images really fit. 'Cedars of Lebanon' goes well [with film of the cop setting off from the beach in a boat]. But Bono changed the lyrics dramatically towards the end of last year. The running order was also changed after the film had been finished. We had to re-edit quite a bit. There was a moment when I thought we would have to dump the film because too much had changed. I think the song 'Winter' was left out. We agreed in the end that I would keep my running order and 'Winter' but would edit to suit the new mixes.

What was your reaction to the album when you first heard it?
Well, I had been with them for a week in Morocco and heard the beginning of a lot of songs. The trouble is that if you hear it for the first time with the band, there is a good chance you will have Bono standing next to you shouting all the lyrics into your ear, and saying, 'And now comes this ...' It's difficult to be objective.

Initially, I wished there was more of the Moroccan elements still in there, but I have grown to really like it. I like 'Unknown Caller' a lot. There are new sounds in there, although it is unmistakably U2. I like that a lot of the songs felt long, less like a tailored pop song and more epic.

Were you given a free hand with the content of 'Linear'?
Yes. The only discussion I had with Bono was about his feeling that there should be more anger in the cop's behaviour at the beginning. This is why I had him set his bike on fire.

There will be a great deal of interest in 'Linear' because of the success of 'Control'. Why did you choose to make the subject of your first movie Ian Curtis, the lead singer of Joy Division?
Looking back it was a film I needed to do because of my own link to the subject matter. Music like that was one of the main reasons why I moved to England [to take pictures for the likes of the NME, which is how he came to meet U2] and also the reason why I moved back to Holland now, because I have finished that whole cycle of my life. 'Control' was a great place to start for me because I understood the subject matter and that gave me something more than the average director. All my inexperience as a filmmaker was balanced out by the emotional depth I had.
I am trying to do different things now, to grow as a filmmaker. My next film will be a thriller that takes place in Italy, totally unrelated to music. It is about completely different things, although the element of the loner will be part of it, as in 'Control' and now 'Linear'.

(This interview first appeared on the U2.com Subscribers site).

Comments
11
You must be a logged-in member to add comments.
onewire
NLOTH Corbijn's Linear
Great visuals, intensity, camera angles, and frame composition (especially the scene in the diner, where the focus on the girl in the foreground blends into a sharp focus on the traveler, and the other scene with the clouds forming the shape of the continent of Africa). I also liked the editing in synch with the music, changing on the downbeat of the next measure (NLOTH and Winter). I really like the original order and "Winter," but I understand the need to replace it on the album with a more hip hit "I'll Go Crazy." Did anybody else notice the motorcycle's license plate read NLOTH?
cluttercoco
I would love to see the original Linear!
It would have been too cool if U2 had left Linear the way it was: with the versions that Anton Corbijn was given, and what he based the film on...now THAT would have been a very powerful extra for the fans.
ctu2fan
Linear POV
As a fan of Anton's photography (I love my U2&i collection of photographs, as well as one of his numbered prints I purchased on the site years ago), I was interested in the visual version of the album that came with the Deluxe NLOTH. I actually prefer the original order of the songs, which opens with "Unknown Caller" and time series photography of Paris. "Winter", which unfortunately didn't make the final cut of NLOTH, is haunting. The scenes on the motorcycle on the journey from Paris, through Spain and to North Africa are so stunning and beautiful, my husband and I would love to know the route! There is a lingering sense of disconnect and searching throughout this film that gives NLOTH a perspective that differs from the initial listen, but may not be for the faint of art.
biglab
BigLab
I always look forward to Anton's work and I have to agree with his take on no line on the horizon. I also like how get on your boots just pops out of nowhere and fits by not fitting in like pride on unforgettable fire. Its fun to see what U2 will come up with next.
Jeff & Rebecca
Beautiful
A beautiful piece by a truly great artist. Thanks, Anton.
adnilton
Two ways on the same line.
Fantastic. I've been watched "Linear" andI've been listened to "No Line" several times. What I like most is the fact that you get a different point of view listening to songs while watching the movie. The awesome images reinforce the poetic lyrics and make you go on a trip as a character. Great job, Mr. Corbjin! Great job you guys!
norwaylad
Memories
I loved the scenes from Paris , brought back memories to me. Kept think ing of Larry as his love of bikes.
Conakry
Anton Corbijn
I have seen the movie and think it's very beautifull. Very good shooting Anton, Thanks and goodluck with your next movie. Are you also going to make a movie in Holland some time? Maybe the U2 concert this summer?
tombono
Greatness = Linear
I bought the Special Edition and went straight to Linear. I thought it was a great addition to the already awesome music! I hope they keep coming with these great ideas. Great job to all! See you guys on September 16/17!
Gert-Jan Aelvoet
mixed feeling
Hi, when I watched "Linear" for the first time, I was really unpatiently waiting for what the thrilling end would be, and so I was disappointed after I watched it because in fact nothing happens. It's just the story of a road trip without a goal ... I appreciate it a lot more when I watch it again now ...
interu2005
Linear
That's a great movie In fact any Corbijin's work is great since his photos and videos concept great artist!!
Newer comments    1 - 11 of 11    Older comments

RECENT NEWS

20 Mar, 2024

 Subscribers Special
On guitar… Dallas Schoo.

27
18 Mar, 2024

Hear the last U2:UV show and exclusive interview on U2 X-Radio thru April 17

15 Mar, 2024

Hear the final U2:UV show on U2 X-Radio this Sunday.

14 Mar, 2024

U2:UV was like no other show - here's what it was like every night.