Rock ‘n’ roll and death have endured a relationship in a variety of ways over the past 70 years, perhaps in a way no more unique than demonstrated in Depeche Mode: M. Mexican director Fernando Frías (I’m No Longer Here, TF ‘20) explores his country’s cultural obsession with mortality through the spectacle of Depeche Mode’s three nights of triumphant, sold out 2023 concerts in Mexico City. Through the narration of actor Daniel Giménez Cacho, Frías contemplates death in a straight line: from the Aztec god Mictlantecuhtli to Dia de Los Muertos to the band performing their “Memento Mori” album — a collection of songs written during the COVID-19 pandemic and and further jolted by the sudden 2022 death of co-founder Andy Fletcher. Frías stylistically and dynamically captures the intensity of the songs that command the huge crowds’ rapt attention and participation, all in sync. Punctuated with comments from audience members, artists and cultural commentators, Depeche Mode: M explores a cornerstone of Mexican identity, a great band reinventing themselves, and the musical and spiritual convergence that occurs when the two intersect.—Brian Gordon

After the Premiere: A conversation with Depeche Mode and director Fernando Frías.

Fernando Frias de la Parra