DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - THE DRUMMER
1. Discuss the editing style of this film. How would you characterize the editing of the drumming scenes vs. the city scenes?
2. In an early scene in a classroom, a teacher poses the question: “is selfish a good or bad thing?” What do you think? How would you say this relates to film’s theme overall?
3. There are several moments in the film when we see Sid protecting animals. Why do you think writer/director Kenneth Bi chose to emphasize this aspect of Sid’s character? How does this compare to his father’s treatment of animals?
4. What is it about Zen drumming that Sid finds so compelling? What void in his life do you think it fills?
5. The Zen drummers explain to Sid: “we train in martial arts not to conquer others but to conquer ourselves.” Discuss this concept and how it compares to the gangster mentality.