Depeche Mode: Spirits in the Forest

I am a huge fan of DM. I had high expectations and this film delivered in a big way. As a fan I can relate to how each one of the fans showcased in the film felt about this amazing band. DM has touched many lives around the world through their music. It was a pleasure to sit back and watch this movie.

As the movie ended, not a single person stood up to leave. We all wanted an encore! We were all waiting for an encore!

I enjoyed the movie a lot. It's a very strange experience to see your favourite band at the cinema. I'm used to seeing them in arenas playing live. The individual stories of the six fans picked from sea of devotees were touching. One criticism though is that I thought the film was too short. I think the whole audience was a bit surprised when it came to an end and the credits rolled. Everyone stayed in their seats, just in case there was more to come. I wanted to see more live footage (although I understand that the full show will be coming out next year in a physical format - dvd) and wanted to delve more into these people's lives. Each one different, each one simple in its own way, just reminding us that all stories are worth telling however big or small. They all highlighted what it is to be human, the emotions we feel through the turmoils we encounter in our lives, some more serious than others. And THAT is the connection to Depeche Mode. Their music depicts what it is like to be and feel human. No emotion is left behind. Their music covers pretty much the whole repertoire of emotions and that's why people relate to them. Their music tells us that it's ok to feel even the darkest emotions as they're all part of life. Through Depeche Mode one learns acceptance; of others, but most importantly of oneself. A lot like therapy, but so much more exciting.

The movie shows what an impact Depeche mode can have on their fans and how loyal they can be. Only true devotees can fully appreciate the movie as only they will relive the feelings from DM concerts. But also other people might get a lot out of the movie if they don't expect something that this movie is not.

DM fan? Go and see the movie.

Growing up with this band and basically living and breathing them as well as seeing them on many occasions on stage, behind the stage as well as touring after them to many different locations, meeting different cultures, the creativity of people and the whole cult around this band was something the movie just scratched at the surface. Unfortunately is the connection between the band (btw only seen on stage throughout the movie) - and fans very much disjointed in this movie. A meet and great, behind the scenes , maybe? Is it really necessary to tell us a fans live story. Where is the connection to the band? Am I really interested as a DM fan? Yes there have been a couple of short very good examples, worth mentioning the "Romanian king" or the Colombian DMK story, Not enough though. Where are the crazy collectors, the 'look a likes'., the fan stories that still create goosebumps due their similarities to your own...? And that's what this movie should have been all about.

As a die hard fan up until Ultra I didn't expect much from their live performance but was pleasantly surprised and am very impressed with how much this band still gives. I found the fans' stories very moving and drove the story to feel more like a movie than just a concert film, beautifully shot by Anton Corbin. My friend who was more a casual fan before watching this absolutely loved it and is now an official Devotee