Zakir & His Friends

Lutz Leonhardt directed this Swiss-German music-themed documentary that eliminates all commentary or narration in order to present a free flow of visuals as it follows the California-based, Bombay-born tabla master Zakir Hussein through India, on tour, at home, and performing with other musicians.

Rhythmic jaunts to other far-flung locations show Japanese taiko drummers, Balinese gamelan players, Venezuelan body percussion, and a Trinidad steel orchestra. Shown at the 1998 Mill Valley Film Festival.