“The smaller the audience, the bigger the history.” So, at least, said Tony Wilson, co-founder of Factory Records and larger than life character at the center of Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 punk pseudo-music-doc, our topic today! We are joined by Professor of Italian Studies at Boston College to explore the pull of nostalgia, anticipated retrospection, how the film’s blend of fact/fiction/and legend reflects the mythmaking of its protagonist, and, of course, the music duh!
We’re all equal in the grave. Except Martin, obviously, who was a huge character. So huge that his coffin wouldn’t fit in his grave. I remember thinking: Martin Hannett, too big for death.
Tony Wilson
Cows in the Field 