Independent Lens

Independent Lens - Season 13 Episode 18 When the Drum Is Beating

2025-10-27 60 minutes.
6.50 15 votes

Season - Episode

27 Season 27 Oct 06, 2025
26 Season 26 Sep 29, 2024
25 Season 25 Sep 18, 2023
24 Season 24 Sep 12, 2022
23 Season 23 Oct 10, 2021
22 Season 22 Oct 19, 2020
21 Season 21 Oct 28, 2019
20 Season 20 Oct 29, 2018
19 Season 19 Nov 06, 2017
18 Season 18 Oct 02, 2016
17 Season 17 Nov 09, 2015
16 Season 16 Oct 13, 2014
15 Season 15 Oct 28, 2013
14 Season 14 Oct 08, 2012
13 Season 13 Oct 13, 2011
12 Season 12 Oct 19, 2010
11 Season 11 Sep 21, 2009
10 Season 10 Oct 22, 2008
9 Season 9 Oct 16, 2007
8 Season 8 Oct 24, 2006
7 Season 7 Oct 11, 2005
6 Season 6 Oct 26, 2004
5 Season 5 Oct 14, 2003
4 Season 4 Feb 04, 2003
3 Season 3 Sep 07, 2001
2 Season 2 Oct 06, 2000
1 Season 1 Aug 09, 1999

Overview

Interweaves the extraordinary story of Septentrional’s six decades of creativity with the history of Haiti. How did the country go from being the first free black republic with a huge wealth of natural resources to a shattered nation unable to support its citizens? How did the hope created by the rise of Jean Bertrand Aristide and the despair that followed the coup that drove him from power contribute to the inevitability of the January 2010 earthquake’s horrific death toll? The film gives context to the current problems facing Haiti, from the brutality of French colonialism and the bloody revolution that brought Haitians their freedom to the crushing foreign debt, the 15-year American occupation that ushered in the brutal dictatorship of “Papa Doc” Duvalier, and the earthquake that killed almost 300,000 people. The passion, commitment, dreams, and joy of Septentrional’s musicians reveal the indomitable Haitian spirit. With a sweeping narrative and infectious music, this is the story of not just one band’s survival, but also Haiti’s survival.

Year
Studio
Director
Popularity 11.5762
Language English