In 2020 Fogo Azul, an all-woman and non-binary drumming group from New York City traveled to Salvador, Brazil to learn from Banda Dida, the first black, female samba reggae drumming troupe and participate in Carnival. Then in 2022 Adriana Portela, the charismatic leader of Dida, traveled to New York to rehearse with the 115 women of Fogo Azul to participate in the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island. What follows is a portrait of empowerment, joy, inclusion, and the enduring power of the drum.
Carin van der Donk
Director
Sarah Teale
Director
Pretty Lethal67%
Hairspray66%
Midnight Run71%
Belle70%
The Forbidden Dance61%
The Gang's All Here58%
Roman J. Israel, Esq.63%
The Woman King75%
Cocktail61%
Working Girl66%
Roxanne Roxanne60%
Hello, Dolly!69%
Good Vibrations67%
Flashdance64%
Drumline69%
Hairspray Live!73%
S.W.A.T.: Under Siege59%
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar74%
Step Sisters64%
White Chicks69%
