In a veritable whirlwind of lights and glamour, Mati Diop made her way onto the red carpet of the Berlin Film Festival for the world premiere of her documentary “Dahomey”. Accompanied by Gildas Adannou, Habib Ahandessi and Joséa Guedje, the Franco-Senegalese director and screenwriter captivated the audience with her incisive exploration of colonization through the return of objects stolen by French colonial troops and returned to Benin, Africa from West.
“Dahomey” offers an in-depth look at the journey of artifacts looted by French colonial troops in 1892, returned from Paris to the Republic of Benin, highlighting the repercussions of their restitution. This documentary questions our colonial heritage and invites us to reflect on the consequences of these past acts on contemporary societies.
The 74 edition of the Berlin Film Festival kicked off with a bang with the world premiere of “Small Things Like These,” the Irish drama starring Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy. On the program, a selection of international films highlighting renowned directors such as Olivier Assayas, Hong Sangsoo, Bruno Dumont and Abderrahmane Sissako among others.
In this year of fierce competition, Mati Diop stands out for her bold and impactful approach to the subject of colonization, offering audiences a unique and uplifting perspective. The Berlin International Film Festival once again promises to dazzle us with days of unforgettable screenings, bringing together talents from around the world such as Rooney Mara, Isabelle Huppert, Gael García Bernal and Kristen Stewart.
This edition of the festival is a call for reflection and questioning of our shared history, highlighting the importance of recognizing and honoring all the voices and cultures that have helped to shape our current world.