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Drums from the Past

Drums from the Past

67
Balasaur Score
Mixed

1971 · Movie · 9m

The read

It runs a compact 9m.

Synopsis

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.

Ratings

IMDb6.9/10

10 audience votes

Key crew

Themes

danceritualexorcismniger