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Documentary

Dahomey

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Thousands of royal artifacts of Dahomey, a West African kingdom, were taken by French colonists in the 19th century for collection and display in Paris. Centuries later, a fraction returned to their home in modern-day Benin. This dramatized documentary follows the journey of 26 of the treasures as told by cultural art historians, embattled university students, and one of the repatriated statues himself.

Release Date : 2024-09-11

Language :EnglishEweFrench

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Les Films du BalFanta SyARTE France Cinéma

Production Country : FranceSenegal

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Lucrèce Hougbelo

Character Name : (voice)

Original Name : Lucrèce Hougbelo

Gender : Male

Parfait Vaiayinon

Character Name : (voice)

Original Name : Parfait Vaiayinon

Gender : Male

Didier Sedoha Nassangade

Character Name : (voice)

Original Name : Didier Sedoha Nassangade

Gender : Male

Sabine Badjogoumin

Character Name : (voice)

Original Name : Sabine Badjogoumin

Gender : Male

Dowoti Desir

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Dowoti Desir

Gender : Male

Micheline Ayinon

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Micheline Ayinon

Gender : Male

Bicarel Gnikpo

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Bicarel Gnikpo

Gender : Male

Nadia Vihoutou Kponadou

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Nadia Vihoutou Kponadou

Gender : Male

Carlos Ounsougan

Character Name : Radio Univers

Original Name : Carlos Ounsougan

Gender : Male

Saturnin Olou

Character Name : Radio Univers

Original Name : Saturnin Olou

Gender : Male

Michael Vogbe

Character Name : Radio Univers

Original Name : Michael Vogbe

Gender : Male

Pricette Zannou

Character Name : Radio Univers

Original Name : Pricette Zannou

Gender : Male

Armel Anagonou

Character Name : Radio Univers

Original Name : Armel Anagonou

Gender : Male

Amour Amoussouvikpo

Character Name : Radio Univers

Original Name : Amour Amoussouvikpo

Gender : Male

Alexandre Viakinnou

Character Name : Radio Univers

Original Name : Alexandre Viakinnou

Gender : Male

Willyam Klikan

Character Name : Radio Univers

Original Name : Willyam Klikan

Gender : Male

Wilfried Kiatagan

Character Name : Radio Univers

Original Name : Wilfried Kiatagan

Gender : Male

Sarkis Gounon

Character Name : Radio Univers

Original Name : Sarkis Gounon

Gender : Male

Lino Mewdehou

Character Name : Radio Univers

Original Name : Lino Mewdehou

Gender : Male

Pretextat Bgelidi

Character Name : Radio Univers

Original Name : Pretextat Bgelidi

Gender : Male

Gilbert Tonouewa

Character Name : Radio Univers

Original Name : Gilbert Tonouewa

Gender : Male

Placide Kagbanon

Character Name : Radio Univers

Original Name : Placide Kagbanon

Gender : Male

Gildas Adannou

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Gildas Adannou

Gender : Male

Morias Agbessi

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Morias Agbessi

Gender : Male

Maryline Agbossi

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Maryline Agbossi

Gender : Male

Habib Ahandessi

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Habib Ahandessi

Gender : Male

Didier Donatien Alihonou

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Didier Donatien Alihonou

Gender : Male

Imelda Batamoussi

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Imelda Batamoussi

Gender : Male

Calixte Biah

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Calixte Biah

Gender : Male

Jules Bocco

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Jules Bocco

Gender : Male

Messi Boco

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Messi Boco

Gender : Male

Diane Cakpo

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Diane Cakpo

Gender : Male

Gaël Daavo

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Gaël Daavo

Gender : Male

Chamelie Dognon

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Chamelie Dognon

Gender : Male

Paul Timothée Doto

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Paul Timothée Doto

Gender : Male

Odilon Gbenontin

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Odilon Gbenontin

Gender : Male

Donald Gbossa

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Donald Gbossa

Gender : Male

Alain Godonou

Character Name : Self - Commissaire de l'exposition

Original Name : Alain Godonou

Gender : Male

Gilbert Godovo

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Gilbert Godovo

Gender : Male

Edah Gontran

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Edah Gontran

Gender : Male

Joséa Guedje

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Joséa Guedje

Gender : Male

Abdoulaye Imorou

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Abdoulaye Imorou

Gender : Male

Yvon Kossou-Yovo

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Yvon Kossou-Yovo

Gender : Male

Raïmi Bassitou Nouatin

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Raïmi Bassitou Nouatin

Gender : Male

Rose Ouemeho

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Rose Ouemeho

Gender : Male

Richard J.V. Sogan

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Richard J.V. Sogan

Gender : Male

Joël Tchogbé

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Joël Tchogbé

Gender : Male

Reviews

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2024-10-31

With over 7,000 pieces taken by the colonising French from their homes in the ancient African kingdom of Dahomey (now Benin), there is much celebration amongst the population at the return of 26 artefacts. These range from statues of their legendary Kings Ghezo and Béhanzin to objects of religious significance and items of such an intricate design that their condition will require perpetual care in a new, purpose-built, home near the Presidential Palace. Sadly, we just don't spend enough time with these beautifully crafted sculptures, nor do we really learn very much about the history of them, their historical provenance nor really anything much about the colonial "treaties" that facilitated their move in the first place. It lacks a narration. Not often that bothers me, but at times this whole thing reminded me of one of those films you'd watch for ten minutes if you were visiting a museum before you moved on. It's presented as if it were the introductory edition of a multi-part documentary that was going to explore more and fill in many of the gaps left unexplained in this hour long preview. Too much of it is spent following a group of young people in a forum arguing about the relative merits (or demerits) of this gesture from the French, and though it can be interesting at times to listen to the differing views in this "what's past is prologue" type debate, it wasn't what I wanted to see. I wanted much more about the fascinating mythology that attributed animal features to human beings in the way the Egyptians did two thousand years earlier. What was their significance? How were they to be conserved, preserved, exhibited - and, quite importantly, to whom. None of that was really gone into and I found that all a little disappointing. It may stimulate further reading but as it stands, it's not great.