After showing The Drummer at Sundance back in 2008 film festivals around the world, Kenneth Bi has finally found a home for a drama merges the triad life and that of the more disciplined one of the Zen Drummers. Film Movement have picked up the North American rights to the picture and have set it for an autumn release with a day and date DVD and cable VOD release not to far behind. We had a fairly lengthy interview with Kenneth (read here) and look forward to the Gotham release.
The Drummer tells the story of Sid, the rebellious son of Kwan, a controlling and savage triad boss in Hong Kong, has to flee to Taiwan upon enraging his father’s adversary, a powerful and underground business leader. Hiding out in the mountains, Sid encounters a group of Zen Drummers whose mesmerizing art, rigourous physical training and austere way of life pique this hostile urban young man’s interest and he requests to join the group. Although Sid despises his father, he’s turning out to be a younger version of him: wild and defiant. Immersing in the world of the Zen drummers eventually converts him into a firm and focused young man. Sid’s independence from the triad life and his father is profoundly challenged, however, when a twist of fate awaits him back home in Hong Kong and forces to choose between his loyalty to his family and his new found faith in himself…
Here is the poster artwork, and for a taste of how it must feel like to travel the world with your film, I suggest taking in an eyeful of Bi’s blog.
