Girl Beat: Power of the Drum 2003
Distributed by Cinema Guild, 115 West 30th Street, Suite 800, New York, NY 10001; 212-685-6242
Producer n/a
Directed by Suzanne Girot
VHS, color, 47 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Dance, Multicultural Studies, Music, Postcolonialism, South American Studies, Women's Studies
Date Entered: 05/21/2004
Reviewed by Brad Eden, Ph.D., Head, Web and Digitization Services, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las VegasThis video profiles members of Banda Dida, an all-girl drumming and vocal group based in Salvador, Brazil. The music that this group plays grows out of the Portuguese colonial history of Brazil, and the African slave market that used to be held in the Pelourinho (slave square) in Salvador. Although slavery was abolished in Brazil in 1888, an economic separation of black and white populations is still entrenched throughout the country. The Dida Music School was established in Salavador to empower Brazilian blacks with their history, music, and a chance to succeed in the rich samba-reggae music scene that is currently popular in South America. Several members of the music group are interviewed, rehearsals of the group are shown, and discussions related to Brazilian black history and religion are interspersed throughout.
This film illustrates the power and importance of giving young people, especially those of ethnically and economically diverse backgrounds, the gift of learning and music to make their lives more meaningful and fulfilling. It also provides some perspective on the current popular music scene in Brazil.