Year: 2025
Director: Fernando Frias
Have you ever wandered into an Irish pub that’s so small it feels like an elderly relative’s lounge? It’s warm and welcoming but the close proximity is a bit much after about 20 minutes or so. This is about the length of time it takes to consume a pint or a cup of tea and two or three biscuits.
This film’s live footage feels like that. It’s very, very close up, which was enhanced by the IMAX format in the theatre. Luckily, the songs are bookended by short, unrelated pieces of film where a Mexican narrator reads poetry in Spanish – which grapples with the Mexican perception of death and why, in particular, they celebrate death in a similar way to Brazilians at carnival time.
Memento Mori – “Remember we must die”. This is the title of Depeche Mode’s 2022 album and I’m beginning to finally take the hint that this may be their last. A specially-filmed sequence near has Gore and Gahan
looking at each other and walking together, away from us.
The sound is exceptional, crisp and loud. Dave’s voice is strong throughout. I am 5 years younger than him and I found myself wincing at his athleticism, knowing that if I tried any of those moves, I’d have to rest up for a week. Those older Gahan we see onstage here resembles Dave Vanian, which is intentional, and also the mischievous twinkle of Roy Jay; the “slither hither” comedian from the 70s.
Martin Gore is just as central to the performance as Dave. The camera is not forgiving to either of them, particularly Gore. There are no blurry monochrome effects here. Don’t get me wrong – they are healthy and energetic throughout, but the skin is marked by age, saggy, leathery and dragged downwards. If you think I’m a bit harsh, well, after this film I feel like I have been studying their heads at close range in my cupped hands in a brightly lit room.
I loved the intro to Everything Counts – which is their earliest song in this set. World in my Eyes was performed as a tribute to Andy Fletcher – which was genuinely touching.
This was the most intimate show I think I have witnessed. Even though you can clearly see and hear them, the audience of 80,000 seem distant observers.
One fan who is interviewed early on talks of Depeche Mode in the past tense. This is a verycarefully edited, beautifully-shot film. They might just leave it there.
Might appeal to people who enjoyed:
101, Spirits in the Forest, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane
Can’t seem to edit so there’s a couple of typos, but I think you get the gist.
And as a final, final thought – the closing credits features them performing the 2022 single Ghosts Again. It’s quite beautiful in this context and one of their best songs.
The first person they thank is Daniel Miller and the live band members are listed under the heading “Depeche Mode are …” for the first time.
Thanks for an insightful review, BC. I’ve ordered the CD version as I think I’ve got enough Mode on film, but I’ll try to catch this at some point.
I suppose it was inevitable that after Fletch left us, Dave and Martin would think about calling it a day – after all, they have been doing this for a fair old time, and nobody’s getting any younger – but I hope they continue for at least another few albums. Memento Mori was a nice return to form, and I’d like to hear more in the same vein.
I would be happy with just a new album every few years but the inconvenient truth is that touring is the only way to make any money.