River City Drumbeat

We are honored to be entrusted with the stories of Edward White and the drum corps he began with his late wife Zambia Nkrumah in Louisville, Kentucky thirty years ago. Over the last twenty years of filmmaking, we have both been drawn to stories about people who shine through negativity by creating community and connection with music and the arts. The drum corps philosophy—that communities need to provide time, resources, and mentors so that every child has what they need to thrive—resonates deeply with our own values.

We came to this story through our producer Owsley Brown, a Louisville native with a dedication to independent documentaries that explore the power of art and music. Owsley introduced us to Mr. White, a local hero at the critical crossroads of his last year leading the drum corps. We felt compelled to begin filming this iconic person before he moved on, and wondered if and how the group would survive when he stepped down. Mr. White became our partner in telling his own life story and brought us into a welcoming drum corps community that included his successor Albert Shumake, graduating seniors Imani and Jailen, and preteen Emily, each navigating their life transitions. Together we created an impressionistic, character-driven journey, where the protagonists and their emotional lives formed the core of the film. At the same time, we explored the rich geography of Louisville, a city that reveals the systemic forces at the core of many of our country’s issues today.

We believe our directing team's diversity has been a great asset and helped us create a more truthful film. Marlon grew up in a southern low-income African-American neighborhood (Liberty City, Miami), and through the saving grace of art became an accomplished filmmaker and father of four. As a storyteller, Marlon wants to convey the life-saving importance of art to the people of the drum corps, whose experiences reflect his own life journey. Anne brings her filmmaking, musical, and parenting background to the project, and is dedicated to bringing the protagonists' internal dialogues and emotions into the film.

As filmmakers, we are committed to experiential and cinematic content over dispensing information. We had a minimal crew who were invested in the human relationships first. We find this kind of filmmaking leads to organic truths being revealed, authentic moments that bring the viewer into a meaningful relationship with the protagonists. In the edit, we favor the slow build and the process of discovery, trusting our audiences to meet the film with openness.

We believe there is a large audience for moving, immersive nonfiction films like River City Drumbeat featuring people of color, both onscreen and in creative leadership roles, and present the film in this spirit.