Beat the Drum

A cautionary AIDS tale set in Johannesburg, where an orphaned Zulu lad learns a valuable lesson., From director David Hickson comes this drama about a young African’s cross-country journey. Set in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, Beat the Drum stars Junior Singo as Musa, a boy who has been orphaned by a plague that swept through his village. Now living with his elderly grandmother, Musa decides to seek out his uncle in Johannesburg, taking along only a drum given to him by his father. The trip proves to be enlightening for young Musa, who is faced with the culture shock of urban society. Also starring Clive Scott and Owen Sejake, Beat the Drum premiered at the 2003 Mill Valley Film Festival.