@ NXNE: Depeche Mode, The Posters Came from the Walls

By Kate Xian

Feature Documentary

Directors Jeremy Deller and Nicholas Abrahams explore the cult culture of “Modeheads” - Depeche Mode fans in this 72 minute documentary The Posters Came from the Walls. Spanning the world, Deller and Abrahams search for Depeche Mode fandom that borders on the obsessive.

The UK documentary focuses predominantly on Depeche Mode’s devotees from Russia and countries of the former Soviet Union. May 9, Victory Day, a national holiday in Russia, is also Depeche Mode’s frontman Dave Gahan ‘s birthday. Instead of celebrating their national holiday, a group of Russian Modeheads have declared it Dave Day, marching in the streets singing Depeche Mode songs. Since the 80’s Depeche Mode’s music had stood to become the soundtrack to the Soviet Union’s march to freedom as at the height of Depeche Mode’s fame, their work was only available in bootleg forms. And that devotion has extended well beyond twenty years and continues to today.

Deller and Abrahams then take us to Tehran, Iran where a teen holds dearly his bootlegs of Depeche Mode CDs and posters. The difficulty of obtaining anything westernized high and being caught possessing it could result in severe criminal punishment. Ironically it puts into perspective what we take for granted here in free societies. The teen’s uncle proof of that, who moved to Toronto and relished in seeing them live in concert, a luxury impossible in his homeland.

Though the fans give off the impression of “scary” and “total weirdos” according to a Depeche Mode fan forum, the truth is The Posters Came from the Walls demonstrate the universal unity music can bring. A broad spectrum, yes, but Deller and Abrahams traveled the world – Toronto, California, England, Moscow, Tehran and more – to showcase the devotion of Depeche Mode fans around the world. The NXNE spirit very much similar, a bringing together of a city based on music, a convergence between music and community.

Ok, enough essay writing there. Overall The Posters Came from the Walls was an interesting film on fandom. Though it doesn’t follow classic storytelling structures, it engages you just long enough to put into perspective your own obsessions.