When the Drum Is Beating

Filmmaker Whitney Dow reflects on Haiti's turbulent history through the prism of an enduring band, the 20-piece Septentrional, a group dating back to 1948 that locals refer to as “Septen.” Boasting a large horn section, Septen produces a bright, rhythmic sound ideal for dancing, with song lyrics covering everything from the architecture of Cap-Haïtien (where the ensemble has its own nightclub) to male-female relations. As one fan puts it, “When Septen plays, I'm rich. When they stop, I'm poor.” Haiti itself enjoyed a degree of prosperity in the early 19th century following the revolution against French colonialism, but poverty has since come to define the country. Septen leader Nikol Levy describes their music as “a weapon against adversity,” and—in some sense—the group is carrying on the voodoo tradition that helped Haiti's slaves express their frustration in a way their masters couldn't understand. After François “Papa Doc” Duvalier's armed forces, the Macoutes, killed a group member, the band wrote “Long Live Duvalier” to keep the despot off their backs, but subsequent leaders, such as Jean-Bertrand Aristide, would continue to find ways to keep the populace down. Dow also interviews singer Michel Tassy, a veteran participant, and bassist Jocelyn “Ti-Bas” Alce, a younger player. The film—which ends amidst the aftermath of the harrowing 2010 Haiti earthquake that took the lives of over 300,000 people—ultimately carries an upbeat message: no matter what fate throws their way, Septen continues to play on. DVD extras include an interview with Dow. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)