Sworn to the Drum: A Tribute to Francisco Aguabella

1995 0h 35m EN

😐

6.1

MID

★6.1TMDB · 9

Documentary

Synopsis

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When you think of Latin percussion, think of Francisco Aguabella. Perhaps the finest Afro-Cuban master percussionist still living, he has become synonymous with his instrument — one of the highest compliments a musician can receive. Indeed, what Carlos Santana is to the guitar, Aguabella is to the conga drum.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

Criterion ChannelSubscription

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Les Blank
Languages: English

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 6

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 35-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 6

ERA

Did you know

31 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 6

RUNTIME

Did you know

Part of the "Les Blank: Always for Pleasure" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 6

ERA

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 6

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0114595 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 6

WILD

Did you know

Only 9 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Les Blank directs. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 35-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
231 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Part of the "Les Blank: Always for Pleasure" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
4Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
5IMDB entry: tt0114595 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
6Only 9 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Runtime: 35 min · 0h 35m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: Sworn to the Drum: A Tribute to Francisco Aguabella (1995)

Part of

Les Blank: Always for Pleasure

An uncompromisingly independent filmmaker, Les Blank made documentaries for nearly fifty years, elegantly disappearing with his camera into cultural spots rarely seen on-screen—mostly on the peripheries of the United States, but also occasionally abroad. Seemingly off-the-cuff yet poetically constructed, these films are humane, sometimes wry, always engaging tributes to music, food, and all sorts of regionally specific delights. This collector’s set provides a diverse survey of Les Blank’s vast output, including fourteen of his best-known works and eight related short films.