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Beat the Drum

Play trailer Poster for Beat the Drum Released Oct 10, 2003 1h 53m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Musa (Junior Singo) is a recently orphaned 9-year-old boy from a small South African village that has been destroyed by an unknown disease. Seeking answers and help for his grandmother and village, Musa embarks on a journey to Johannesburg to find his uncle, who can hopefully aid the village in its ravaged state. Carrying with him only a tribal drum -- a gift from his father -- Musa braves the trek alone to the imposing metropolis, where he learns many important lessons.

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Beat the Drum

Critics Reviews

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Andrea Gronvall Chicago Reader Cinematographer Lance Gewer's wide-screen visuals are a knockout, and the impressive cast delivers. Apr 7, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Great film Beautiful movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/29/21 Full Review Audience Member Slow start but worth the wait. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Good film about the HIV/AIDS epidemic and AIDS orphans in South Africa Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Quiet most of the time, but still got its message across. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Audience Member Beautifull story ....good acting Didn't beat the drum that much tough... Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member A beautiful modern African story, encompassing several aspects of modern South Africa: rural poverty, city vs countryside and HIV. Young Musa is on a quest, leaving behind his shattered life to face survival in the suburban chaos of Jo'burg. His determination and honesty will defeat prejudices and fear and his tale is a faint beacon in the darkness of Africa's social distress. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Beat the Drum

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Cast & Crew

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David Hickson

Director

Junior Singo

Musa

Owen Lebakeng Sejake

Nobe

Mary Twala

Ntombi

Nolunthando Maleka

Letti

Dineo Nchabeleng

Thandi
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Beat the Drum

Beat the Drum (2003) Beat the Drum (2003) Beat the Drum (2003) Beat the Drum (2003) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Musa (Junior Singo) is a recently orphaned 9-year-old boy from a small South African village that has been destroyed by an unknown disease. Seeking answers and help for his grandmother and village, Musa embarks on a journey to Johannesburg to find his uncle, who can hopefully aid the village in its ravaged state. Carrying with him only a tribal drum -- a gift from his father -- Musa braves the trek alone to the imposing metropolis, where he learns many important lessons.
Director
David Hickson
Producer
W. David McBrayer, Karen S. Shapiro, Richard Shaw
Screenwriter
W. David McBrayer
Distributor
Freestyle Releasing
Production Co
Z Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 10, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 17, 2017
Runtime
1h 53m
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