Zakir And His Friends

Aptly subtitled "A Rhythm Experience," this hypnotic documentary from Swiss filmmaker Lutz Leonhardt is an exuberant celebration of the primal urge to beat one thing against another and make a little noise. At the center of Leonhardt's beautifully shot film is renowned percussionist Zakir Hussain, son of Alla Rakha, one of India's greatest living tabla players. Hussain is seen performing classical Indian music and sitting in with various accompanists from around the word -- including jazz saxophonist George Brooks and Rakha himself -- and discussing what tabla-playing and music in general mean to him. He's a charismatic story teller as well as a dazzling player, bu...