Drums from the Past (1971) is a Documentary film that follows filmed in May 1971 in Niger, this short documentary records a possession ritual performed by the Simiri people in response to a locust invasion. The ceremony centers on the beating of the archaic drums Tourou and Bitti, used to invoke spirit forces through music, dance, and trance. Shot in a single continuous take, the film documents a concentrated moment of collective ritual practice, reflecting Jean Rouch’s first-person ethnographic approach and direct participation in the event. Drums from the Past is not currently listed with streaming providers in your selected region, but availability can change over time. It has a user rating of 6.4 out of 10 from 9 votes. Fans of documentary movies may also want to explore similar titles below.