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Dahomey

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Dahomey

Released Oct 25, 2024

1h 8m

Documentary

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99%

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94 Reviews

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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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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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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

Armond White

National Review

It is Diop’s academic background that makes Dahomey a more creditable venture in the diasporic art craze that we are currently witnessing.

May 16, 2025

Full Review

Heidy Morales

Hye's Musings

Through 'Dahomey', Diop not only records a historic moment; she invites us to confront the ongoing legacies of colonialism and to question whether restitution can truly undo the past or merely provide a path forward toward healing.

Apr 25, 2025

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

A well-crafted and patient exploration of cultural theft, colonialism, and national identity.

Rated: 7/10

Feb 28, 2025

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Matthew R

Pretty interesting stuff, of course asks a lot of questions regarding colonialism. I would have like to focus, or at least, dip into the history beyond the attempt to repatriate the art. The open conversation was excellent. Incredibly intelligent people.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/08/25

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Daniel B

If you're interested in colonialism and artifact restoration, then by all means....

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

Full Review

Dan D

Painfully slow paced. Is it the French writer putting the words in the mouth of a Beninese artifact? Are we supposed to take that as an informed cultural perspective? The redeeming part of the work is the spirited discussion of the University students.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/05/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Cosmically profound, channeling voices from centuries past in a magical realist format , yet also manages to be pragmatic — opening up a space for honest debate in the 21st century about colonialism and culture. Altogether a stunning achievement from Diop, worthy of all festival buzz and awards chatter, if a bit too slight for its own good.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/23/24

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

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Mati Diop

Director

Mati Diop

Writer

Eve Robin

Producer

Judith Lou Lévy

Producer

Mati Diop

Producer

Josephine Drouin Viallard

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Dahomey: Trailer 1

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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

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