2017 - DOCUMENTARY SHORT - 43 MINUTES - CANADA
A FILM BY REBEKAH REIKO

#TJFF17 Closing Film: MANDALA BEATS. The film follows Israeli bassist and producer Yossi Fine, known as the Jimi Hendrix of bass guitar who, upon discovery of his own Indian heritage, travels to #India where he finds inspiration to take his music in ambitious new directions. MANDALA BEATS is the feature-length debut by #Canadian filmmaker Rebekah Reiko, who will be present in the audience to introduce her film’s #WorldPremiere 8pm, May 14th. Yossi will attend the film at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, after which he and drummer Ben Aylon - One Man Tribe will perform at the Festival’s Wrap Party at Lee's Palace. Co-presented with Ashkenaz Festival.

Israeli bassist and producer Yossi Fine, known as the Jimi Hendrix of bass guitar, has recorded and produced music with artists from across the globe including, Lou Reed, David Bowie and Brian Eno. After travelling to Jamaica and Mali to expand his musical knowledge and get in touch with his ancestral roots, Fine discovers that his great-grandmother is Indian.

Invited to perform at India’s Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF) in Jodhpur, Fine heads to India to collaborate with local folk musicians, and unexpectedly reconnects with old friends and fellow Israeli musicians—Shye Ben Tzur and Gil Ron Shama. Mandala Beats documents Fine’s journey through India, the impact its music and culture has on his own personal musical style as well as on that of his contemporaries.

Mandala Beats shows how India has been a catalyst for the musical endeavours of these talented musicians. Fine reconnects with Shye Ben Tzur— a Israeli composer, producer, poet and performer based in India and Israel. Fine also reconnects with Gil Ron Shama—writer, musician and co-founder of popular Israeli musical peace group Sheva.

This culminates in a stunning collaboration between friends and musicians on the banks of the Ganges River in the once Beatles-frenzied city of Rishikesh— an event that embodies the diversity and impact Indian music has had on Israeli musicians.

Having crossed personal and geographic borders through music, Fine returns to Israel uplifted by his Indian experience and inspired to take on ambitious new musical directions.