When the Drum Is Beating

Trailer (1:45)
Clip 1 ( 1:19)
Clip 2 (2:17)
Clip 3 (1:38)

  • About the Film

    Yvenel ‘Sore’ Etienne, Septentrional vocalist at the mic

    Surviving dictatorships, natural disasters, and extreme poverty, Haiti's most popular band, Septentrional, has been making music for 62 years — 12 years longer than the average Haitian lifespan.

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  • From the Blog

    haitian-music-comp

    Listen to a Sampling of Haitian Music

    From vodou to Kompa to mizik rasin, Haitian music is a mix of European, African, and Latin traditions, melded together with a largely upbeat and celebratory rhythm. While the most famous Haitian musician in America is Wyclef Jean, in Haiti itself, the superstars are plentiful.

    Learn about Haitian music >>

  • From the Blog

    Filmmaker Whitney Dow

    A Filmmaker on a Mission to Make an Uplifting Film About Haiti

    In making When the Drum is Beating — about Septentrional, a band that has persevered and flourished in Haiti for 65 years — Whitney Dow brings a story of a nation with a unflagging spirit and passion for its unique and rich cultural identity.

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  • Talkback

    A crowd of men and woman dancing and singing

    Do you have a favorite band or musician whose music reflects a larger social history?

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