Private Project

Beating Like Her Drum (Part 1): "The Festival Girls"

Medium lenght documentary that aims to shine a light on the artistic excellence of women percussionist in the city of Toronto, Canada, while documenting the social, racial and gender-based barriers they have faced in their field of practice. Through interviews, dialogues and reflexions made around the days of the festival hosted by Lula Lounge called "Women in Percussion" in 2019, the project will explore the art of percussion and the diversity of the music scenes of Toronto today. Featuring Magdelys Savigne, Yeti “Lady Son” Ajasin and Joy Lapps, as main characters, this film explore the background of these three extraordinary artists who have fought for the freedom to become the masterful percussionists they are.

  • Dayme Arocena
    Director
    Sunlight Around the Corner: The Golden Sparrow
  • Pablo Dewin
    Director
    Sunlight Around the Corner: The Golden Sparrow
  • Dayme Arocena
    Writer
  • ALAFIAfilms
    Producer
  • Magdelys Savigne
    Key Cast
  • Yetunde Ajasin
    Key Cast
  • Joy Lapps
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    36 minutes 8 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 30, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    16,800 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Dayme Arocena, Pablo Dewin

ALAFIAfilms is an interactive arts collective created in Toronto since 2019 by the photographer, videographer and visual artist Pablo Dewin and the musician and composer Dayme Arocena. The purpose of this union is the joint development of audiovisual materials inspired by the creative processes of several artistic expressions. Through this collaboration platform both artists combine their skills at the disposal of a common piece, which contributes to the growth of their individual careers and the collective itself. Since its inception they have supported creators, venues and local events, as well as international cultural and social awareness projects, focused on visibility to minorities and the community of artist and activist around the world. Their work have been exhibited in film festivals, art galeries and museums in United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Spain, Colombia and Brazil.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Beating Like Her Drum (Part 1) is a fully independent initiative in collaboration with Lula Music and Arts Centre, inspired by the percussionists we have worked with, who felt that more needed to be done to draw attention to the obstacles women face, in order to make the field more open to the next generation of artists.
The second part of the film (Part 2) will be focused in documenting the daily live of the main characters showcasing the reality of being a woman musician in the Canadian society.