A Drummer's Dream
Granville 7 Theatre 2
Monday, October 4 2010 6:30pm
I will be making a lot fewer drummer jokes after seeing A Drummer's Dream. This enthralling film documents the coming together of Montreal musician Nasyr Abdul Al-Khabyyr's dream of organizing a drumming camp with his fellow drummers and friends. Each drummer teaching at the camp is an extraordinary and individual talent in their own right encompassing many styles from rock, Latin, jazz, to R&B.
My favorite performance was by Kenwood Dennard who I can only describe as the Bobby McFerrin of drummers. Never have I seen anyone drum, play left hand bass, sing, and do vocal rhythms all at the same time. The most technically astonishing performance is by Mike Mangini who can play so inhumanly fast that it looks like they sped up the film. In the Q&A session, director John Walker assures us it was filmed at the normal 30fps.
The drummers' love of music and passion to share it with their students shines throughout this film. Director Walker captures their enthusiasm, joie de vivre, and technical virtuosity behind the drum kit and off it. The joy and sharing is palpable in the interviews especially when Latin players Giovanni Hidalgo and Raul Rekow are interviewed together. Hidalgo is from Puerto Rico and Rekow is of mixed Filipino-American heritage, but they have a naturally hilarious interplay and bond like two brothers.
The camp students are of all ages from young teenagers to seniors. The climax of the film is of the final evening group performance. It's a participatory kind of night. Students in the audience drum along, and improvise on anything handy. With much cajoling and encouragement, even film maker John Walker has his turn behind the drum kit. But probably the most heartwarming scene is of student Chris—who looks about 14 or 15—as he gives the performance of his young life with an astonished and supportive band of teachers surrounding him. Later in his interview, he declares that night the best moment of his life.
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