Official Trailer for Mati Diop’s Award-Winning Documentary ‘Dahomey’
by Alex Billington
September 10, 2024
Source: YouTube
“It’s a purely political event. It’s in no way historic.” Mubi has unveiled an official trailer for a film called Dahomey, the latest from French-Senegalese filmmaker known for her previous film Atlantics. Dahomey originally premiered at the 2024 Berlin Film Festival earlier this year and won the top prize Golden Bear at the festival. Set in November 2021. 26 royal treasures of the Kingdom of Dahomey are about to leave Paris to return to their country of origin, the present-day Republic of Benin. Along with thousands of others, these historic artifacts were originally plundered by French colonial troops in 1892. But what attitude to adopt to these ancestors’ homecoming in a country that had to forge ahead in their absence? The debate rages among students at the University of Abomey-Calavi. The film explores how the artifacts were returned from France to Benin, and the reactions of Beninese people. Seems there are divisive reactions: is this really helping, what is the point, what is it really changing? If this topic interest you, it is definitely worth a watch.
Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for Mati Diop’s doc Dahomey, direct from Mubi’s YouTube:
From acclaimed filmmaker Mati Diop (Atlantics), Dahomey is a poetic and immersive documentary film that delves into real perspectives on far-reaching issues surrounding appropriation, self-determination and restitution. Set in November 2021, the film charts 26 royal treasures from the Kingdom of Dahomey that are due to leave Paris and return to their country of origin: the present-day Republic of Benin. Using multiple perspectives Diop questions how these artifacts should be received in a country that has reinvented itself in their absence. Winner of the Golden Bear prize at the 2024 Berlinale, Dahomey is an affecting though altogether singular conversation piece that is as spellbinding as it is essential. Dahomey is directed by French-Senegalese filmmaker Mati Diop, director of the doc A Thousand Suns and the film Atlantics previously, plus more shorts. Produced by Eve Robin, Judith Lou Lévy, Mati Diop. This initially premiered at the 2024 Berlin Film Festival where it won the Golden Bear. Mubi will debut Diop’s Dahomey doc in select US theaters (NY first) starting October 25th, 2024 this fall. Anyone interested in watching?
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