Placebo’s iconic frontman Brian Molko and bassist–guitarist Stefan Olsdal took center stage in London on October 3 for the premiere of their new documentary Placebo: This Search For Meaning, a film that promises to shed new light on the band’s 30-year journey. Directed by BAFTA-winner Oscar Sansom, the documentary breaks conventional boundaries, featuring a deep dive into the band’s personal battles with addiction, mental health, and gender politics, while offering rare glimpses into their relationship with David Bowie.
During the premiere, Molko emphasized the band's desire to create something more than just another rock doc. “We wanted to make something exciting, to break the form. A series of talking heads wouldn’t have done us justice,” Molko shared, highlighting Sansom's creative vision. The documentary features candid interviews, raw behind-the-scenes footage, and cameos from celebrity fans like Benedict Cumberbatch, Yungblud, and Shirley Manson, making it a must-see for music lovers.
One of the standout elements is the intimate footage of Placebo’s interactions with David Bowie, a pivotal figure in the band’s career. “Because he always spoke to you on your level. It wasn’t like you’re dealing with somebody on a gilded balcony in an ivory tower. You’re dealing with somebody who really, really was very interested in you and was extremely genuine.”
“There are surprises for me,” Molko said. “Getting Benedict Cumberbatch to be in it was a real coup. That was somebody that we discovered through mutual friends was a big fan. So it’s great to be surprised that way.
“One of my favourite moments is when David Bowie asked the question, ‘What is it that motivates a musician to do this extremely asocial thing?’ He asked the question, and Robbie (Williams) answers the question. That is a good example of how we’re trying to do something which plays with the form.”
The film doesn’t shy away from showing the less glamorous side of fame either. “It was raw, uncomfortable, but real,” said Olsdal. “We needed to be vulnerable, and that’s what this film does—exposes who we really are.”
Placebo: This Search For Meaning is set for a limited run in cinemas throughout October, marking a new chapter in the band's enduring legacy. With this bold new project behind them, the band hinted that they will take some time off before working on their next album, after the creative resurgence of Never Let Me Go.
Photo: Andy Ford for NME
