Drums from the Past (1971)
Tourou et Bitti: Les tambours d'avant
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.
Where to watch Drums from the Past
| Country | Stream | Rent | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | — | Tenk | — |
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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. Drums from the Past is a Documentary movie, released on 1971-01-01, runtime 9 minutes.
Is Drums from the Past worth watching?
TMDB users rate Drums from the Past 6.3 out of 10 from 10 ratings. Reception is mixed-to-positive.
Where can I watch Drums from the Past?
In France, Drums from the Past can be rented from Tenk. Movie World also lists online streaming sources and links to external sources on this page.
Directed by
Jean Rouch
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Sources
Details and the 6.3/10 rating from Drums from the Past on TMDB, also on IMDb. Back to Movie World.