Drums from the Past (1971)

About Drums from the Past

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Who directed Drums from the Past?

Drums from the Past was directed by Jean Rouch.

How long is Drums from the Past?

Drums from the Past has a runtime of 0h 9m.

What is Drums from the Past about?

Filmed in May 1971 in Niger, this short documentary records a possession ritual performed by the Simiri people in response to a locust invasion. The ceremony centers on the beating of the archaic drums Tourou and Bitti, used to invoke spirit forces through music, dance, and trance. Shot in a single continuous take, the film documents a concentrated moment of collective ritual practice, reflecting Jean Rouch’s first-person ethnographic approach and direct participation in the event.