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Dahomey

Play trailer 1:20 Poster for Dahomey Now Playing 1h 8m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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99% Tomatometer 75 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
From acclaimed filmmaker Mati Diop (Atlantics), DAHOMEY is a poetic and immersive work of art that delves into real perspectives on far-reaching issues surrounding appropriation, self-determination and restitution. Set in November 2021, the documentary 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 coveted Golden Bear prize at the 2024 Berlinale, DAHOMEY is an affecting though altogether singular conversation piece that is as spellbinding as it is essential.
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Dahomey

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Critics Consensus

With a rigorous yet fantastical approach, Mati Diop's Dahomey provocatively uncovers the restitution and repatriation of a stolen legacy, and serves as a powerful statement for decolonization.

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Critics Reviews

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Carlos Aguilar Los Angeles Times At only 68 minutes, “Dahomey” brims with plenty of perspectives on what the restitution of these ancient treasures symbolizes and the dicey political implications around it. Nov 5, 2024 Full Review Sarah-Tai Black Globe and Mail A welcome companion to the rich textures and spirits of Diop’s lauded feature film, Atlantics, Dahomey offers itself as a site of essential reflection and a necessary reminder of the living poetics that cinema is capable of. Nov 4, 2024 Full Review Donald Clarke Irish Times The French-Senegalese film-maker ... has certainly not taken the conventional approach while pondering an increasingly contentious area of postcolonial discourse. But this remains a lucid piece of work that lays out its arguments in sharp fashion Rated: 4/4 Nov 3, 2024 Full Review Mattie Lucas trans|cendental cinema Reaches deep into the unsettled soul of a generation seeking not only justice for the past, but a chance to create a future in their own image. Rated: 3.5/4 Nov 20, 2024 Full Review David Parkinson Radio Times Diop captures the reverence shown by curator Calixte Biahthe, as the imposingly evocative pieces are exhibited in the Palais de la Marina in Cotonou. Rated: 4/5 Nov 19, 2024 Full Review Guillem Martinez Oya Cinematismo Diasporic sculptures must start a dialogue with us. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 4/5 Nov 15, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member A stunning achievement. Earth-shakingly profound. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/22/24 Full Review Catherine Imogen W OK, it was very interesting and we saw the responses of people in Benin to the return of 26 artefacts from France, clearly this was regarded as plundered heritage. Not for art historians. You see few of the artefacts. The anger was palpable. But then again - we saw how carefully 26 pieces had to be wrapped and packaged. Would those who demanded the immediate return of 7000 pieces have been satisfied if they had arrived smashed up en route? I often feel with my own government, when it takes a step in the right direction and people complain - this is not enough! Why not say, well, this is an improvement but we need more, instead of berating the French and their own government? Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/27/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Dahomey

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Movie Info

Synopsis From acclaimed filmmaker Mati Diop (Atlantics), DAHOMEY is a poetic and immersive work of art that delves into real perspectives on far-reaching issues surrounding appropriation, self-determination and restitution. Set in November 2021, the documentary 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 coveted Golden Bear prize at the 2024 Berlinale, DAHOMEY is an affecting though altogether singular conversation piece that is as spellbinding as it is essential.
Director
Mati Diop
Producer
Eve Robin, Judith Lou Lévy, Mati Diop
Screenwriter
Mati Diop, Mati Diop
Distributor
MUBI
Production Co
Les Films du Bal
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
French
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 25, 2024, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA)
$54.6K
Runtime
1h 8m