Beat the Drum

Young Musa is orphaned after a mysterious illness strikes his village in KwaZulu Natal. Ostracized by the other children in the village for being cursed by the strange death, Musa sets off for Johannesburg in order to help support his grandmother and find his uncle. He carries with him a small drum - his father's last gift. Throughout his journey, Musa holds true to himself as he confronts the harsh realities of urban life. As Musa continues the search for his uncle, he learns of a deadly disease called AIDS, a curse his ancestors had nothing to do with. When he finally returns to his village, he confronts the elders with a truth they are not prepared to hear. "Beat the Drum" is a touching and insightful look at the perseverance of the human soul in modern South Africa.