IN SPIRIT I’LL BE THERE

I got asked a lot these past few weeks how does it feel to see yourself on the big screen. I didn’t have a proper answer until last Wednesday. I had only seen “Spirits In The Forest” once and it was the day before, at home. Watching it in the privacy of my sofa helped me defuse the surprise factor. That’s not a bad thing. Quite frankly I wouldn’t want to watch it for the very first time in a theater and then, when the lights go on, I’d still be trying to process what I had just seen while shaking hands and talking to everyone next to me.

So, on Wednesday, I ran to London for the very first theatrical screening with the extra special presence of Anton Corbijn, who would be answering questions after the film. Now that I didn’t have to worry how I was portrayed in the film, I managed to pay more attention to subtle details in the narrative of my five fellow spirits. Within 5 minutes I was already in tears, trying not to let people near me notice I was nearly sobbing for the entire first half of the movie, completely moved by everything those people on screen were telling and how it can make anyone understand what Depeche Mode is about. Everyone (or at least every Depeche Mode fan) will identify her or himself with what we have to say because it’s a very human approach to it. Anton said, quite rightfully, that Depeche invokes this sort of cult following that he doesn’t see among fans of other bands he also works with quite well (yes, he mentioned U2 at this moment). It’s not that they are better or worse than DM. It’s that the music and the themes on their songs relate to particularly intimate moments in their fans lives. And that’s why we’re drawn together by the band.

Just so we’re on the same page and everyone’s expectations are managed, without letting any spoiler out, here’s what to expect of the film:

• It’s not a concert film. That will come out later next year. Anton was asked about this some 5 times in a row.
• It’s not another 101 either. They didn’t just turn the camera on and let us goof around. It’s also not another “Our Hobby Is Depeche Mode” aka “The Posters Came From The Walls”. I wouldn’t even have signed up for something so embarrassing in the first place.
• The band is only shown performing on stage. If you want to watch Alan teaching how to play Black Celebration, you’re watching the wrong film. In fact you’re a couple of decades late. If you want to hear the band talking, I’m sure you can find tons of promotional interviews on the internet. The “Spirit” era, in particular, had them talking a lot about their own personal lives and growing up in working class Basildon in the 60’s and 70’s.

If you want some more non-spoiler reviews, I strongly recommend you read what “Halo” book co-authors David McElroy wrote for Home and Kevin May wrote on his Halo, the Violator Book Blog. There’s also a honest review on Gigwise and we even made it to The Guardian (although they focus more on the media and the business model of the theatrical release, rather than the content, but there’s a bit about it too).

It was also interesting to meet the people who had spent 6 months listening to our voices mixing the audio of the film. Dear gawd, bless their souls. Not even I could stand my own voice for so long.