The Drummer 戰鼓 (Taiwan/Hong Kong, 2007)

There's nothing stand-out about this film, but I liked it anyway, perhaps because it touches two aspects close to my heart: a drum troupe living monk-like existences on the top of a mountain is some sort of ideal of heaven to me.

The storyline is fairly straight-forward. Troubled punk rock drummer kid with an attitude problem in Hong Kong gets into deep shit with the triads and is sent away to Taiwan for his own protection. While in Taiwan he discovers a drum troupe living a zen existence and he aspires to become one of them. Hilarity ensues. Or not.

No surprises, but a good viewing. Director Kenneth Bi has a great sense of form and loves juxtaposition, which is something I can appreciate.

A fresh 6/10 tomato rating, recommended to fans of Asian cinema, drumming, and zen spirituality. The drum troupe is a real world-renowned drum troupe in Taiwan.