When the Drum is Beating

Spotlight

World Premiere

USA, Haiti | 84 MINUTES | English, Creole |

WHEN THE DRUM IS BEATING

Documentary, Music

A rhythmic meeting of music and history, When the Drum Is Beating brilliantly interweaves the stories of Haiti and its most celebrated band, Septentrional. With its distinctive fusion of Cuban big band rhythms and Haitian vodou beats, the 20-piece band has been around for more than six decades. The constant thread through this documentary is not just the music, but the fact that Septentrional has survived for so long in a country that has endured dictatorships, natural disasters, and coups d'état is a reflection of the resilience of the Haitian people.

Archival footage and historical context seamlessly work with the stories of the band members, who reflect on their memories, dreams, and hopes. Director Whitney Dow skillfully parallels the two stories and keeps the pace going with live concert footage and intimate rehearsal moments. The spirit of the members of Septentrional and the Haitian people is palpable. Dow turns this deserving tribute into a celebratory story of amazing musicians who, through it all, have kept their passion alive.


CAST & CREDITS

Directed by Whitney Dow

WHITNEY DOW is an award-winning filmmaker whose directing credits include Two Towns of Jasper, I Sit Where I Want: The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education, and Unfinished Country. His work has received numerous honors, including the Peabody, Columbia DuPont, Gotham, and Beacon awards.
Producer
Daniel Morel, Jane Regan, Jennifer Latham
Executive Producer
Marco Williams
Camera & Sound
Tom Hurwitz, Eddie Marritz, Mark Mandler, John Zecca, Jonathan Fumanski, Neils Alpert
Director
Whitney Dow
Editor
Nancy Kennedy, Federico Rosenzvit, Hemal Trivedi
Primary Cast
Nikol Levy, Michel Tassy, Ulrick Pierre-Louis, Jocelyn "T-Bass" Alce, Yvenel "Saure" Etienne, Orchestre Septentrional

CONTACTS

Producer
Press Contact
Steve Grenyo
JMP Verdant
Phone: 917-545-0487
jmp-verdant@earthlink.net
Sales Contact
Whitney Dow
Two Tone Productions
New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212.625.9118
wbdferal@bellatlantic.net
Producer