Sky Arts Commissions Feature-Length Doc on New Order

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The British factual indie Caravan has been commissioned by Sky Arts to produce a feature-length documentary about the band New Order.

The two-hour New Order: Decades is produced and directed by Mike Christie (Hansa Studios: By The Wall 1976-90), marking 40 years since the band’s first TV appearance. Part concert and part documentary, it follows the band’s preparations as they restage their collaboration So It Goes with the artist Liam Gillick and the 12-piece synthesizer orchestra that made headlines during Manchester International Festival 2017.

The doc is set to air on September 22 on Sky Arts.

Christie said: “New Order: Decades really is a unique opportunity to get to the heart of a truly iconic and brilliant band. New Order rarely look backward, yet for this project, they had to reflect on—and deconstruct—their history. The insights feel fresh but also intimate, funny and revealing of a band who have often seemed mysterious and perhaps sometimes a little misunderstood over the last 40 years.”

Bill Hobbins, commissioning editor for non-scripted at Sky, added: “The full-length New Order and Joy Division song performances featured in the film look and sound simply incredible. They also serve as a perfect cross-section of the musical journey the band have undertaken in their career over the last four decades and the perfect soundtrack to this very special film.”

Dinah Lord, executive producer and managing director of Caravan, commented: “New Order: Decades offers a rare chance to enter the band’s private world, understand the visual philosophy of their aesthetic and design, and witness their collaborative, creative processes first hand.”