Melbourne International Film Festival Review - Dahomey

“Historique.”

Historic, artful and patriotic, Dahomey is a patient documentary covering the significant repatriation to Benin from France of 26 stolen treasures during colonial occupation that jointly examines the Beninese response to their return, and the cultural heritage reclaimed, and that still longing to return and the difficult process of decolonisation.

Discussion Points:

Mati Diop takes her gentle lens to this documentary about the return of 26 stolen treasures to Benin. At only 1hr 7min, Dahomey’s relaxed pace slowly slides past but leaves a profound lasting impact, thanks mostly to the fantastic footage from a Beninese forum at the University of Abomey-Calavi that allows a multitude of voices and positions to be presented around the return of the artefacts, and the artistic decision to give an anthropomorphic voice to the treasures to imagine their feelings about returning home. It’s a historic moment. It’s a political moment. It benefits France. It benefits Benin. It insults Benin. It reveals and reflects poorly on France’s continued colonial power and control. 26 artefacts is a win. But 7,000+ remain in exile. The artefacts are home. But are they being displayed and understood in the correct manner? So many more questions are raised. And the answers aren’t easy. The decolonisation process is a long and hard journey. But the return of these 26 treasures is a small beginning step down that path of cultural reclamation and patriotism. A powerful reminder and recognition of the importance of indigenous culture and history.