Drums from the Past

Drums from the Past

1971
9m
5.9

5.9/10

7 votes • View on IMDb
Overview

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.

Status: Released

Language: FR

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Production Information

Production Companies
Comité du film Éthnographique Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS Images
Production Countries
France
Spoken Languages
French

Quick Facts

Original Title Tourou et Bitti: Les tambours d'avant
Release Date January 1, 1971
Status Released
Language FR
IMDb ID tt0210366

Cast

Key Crew

Jean Rouch
Director
Jean Rouch
Writer