Dahomey

The issue of artefacts stolen, bought or otherwise transferred from the country of origin into Western European or North American museums has never been more pertinent, whether it be the Elgin Marbles - which should really be called the Parthenon Marbles - or, as is the case in this film, treasures from the kingdom of Dahomey, which was part of what is now Benin - to where these 26 items have been restored. The film, by French/Senegalese director Mati Diop takes a wide-ranging view of the subject, including the point of view of the objects themselves, as well as a discussion among students about the issue - not least why only 26 treasures have been returned, while thousands still remain. The film, part-documentary, part imaginative fiction, won the Golden Bear at Berlin this year, and is bound to generate a great deal of passionate debate on the subject of art repatriation.

SYNOPSIS:
Dahomey is a 2024 documentary film directed by Mati Diop. It is a dramatised account of 26 royal treasures from the Kingdom of Dahomey, which were held in a museum in France. The film explores how the artefacts were returned from France to Benin, and the reactions of Beninese people.
 

Details

Run time: 1h 8 mins
Certificate: 12A
Director: Mati Diop

Writer: Mati Diop
Cast: Gildas Adannou, Habib Ahandessi, Joséa Guedje
Country: France, Senegal, Benin
Genre: Documentary
Language: English, French
 

Extras: Panel discussion on stolen artefacts and repatriation, led by Archaeo-Heritage Film.