Screening Date: Thu. Nov. 3, 2022
Time: 7:30
Venue: AFS Cinema
Cost: $15
Premier Status: TX
Run Time/Year/Country: 87min, 2022, USA
Director: Dawn Mikkelson & Keri Pickett

Co-presented by Austin Asian American Film Festival, OUTsider, The Work Place, KUTX, The Frances

Co-Director Keri Pickett and Taiko Midwest Executive Director Jennifer Weir will be in attendance for a post screening Q&A

This film will also be available virtually for residents of MN & TX

Synopsis

For thousands of years women have been locked out of Taiko drumming. Not anymore. In the dead of a Minnesota winter, Asian drumming divas smash gender roles and redefine power on their own terms. FINDING HER BEAT dives into the rhythms and struggles that lead to an electrifying historic performance that changes everything.

In the midst of a frozen Minnesota winter, a Japanese drum master and Korean adoptee from North Dakota join forces to assemble the world’s best Taiko drummers in a bold effort to claim a cultural spotlight that has historically been reserved only for men.

Their rhythm revolution includes rock stars from the world of Taiko: Tiffany Tamaribuchi, Kaoly Asano, Chieko Kojima, Megan Chao-Smith, and Jennifer Weir.

Through grueling rehearsals, Jennifer weaves together their disparate voices and styles. Vulnerability, pain, and joys are shared—and we quickly see the bonds of friendship form as these talented women navigate their way through differences in culture, age, language, and performing styles.

As the clock ticks toward their first performance, it becomes clear that their story has become much larger than Taiko.

Trailer

Finding Her Beat trailer