As a connoisseur of films that challenge the status quo and delve deep into the complexities of history, I found Mati Diop‘s “Dahomey” to be a captivating and thought-provoking masterpiece. Much like how these 26 artifacts have traveled across continents, this film too transcends boundaries, seamlessly blending documentary and metaphysical elements.
“Dahomey” – A Brief yet Impactful Documentary
In my perspective, I found “Dahomey” to be an expansive and intellectually stimulating film compared to “Atlantics”. It’s a supernatural romance set in Cotonou, Dakar, where young men yearn for a brighter future in Spain, yet it presents itself as a thought-provoking, avant-garde essay on screen. The camera, mostly stationary, captures peculiar glimpses of human life – from a guard idling on his phone at the Palais de la Marina at night to a student dozing off during a discussion section.
I found “Atlantics” captivating, whereas “Dahomey” remains a film that I appreciate less despite admiring its ambitious scope. A key aspect of my viewing experience was the lengthy segment towards the end of the movie, which features students from the University of Abomey-Calavi engaged in a discussion about the significance of returning the artifacts to them. As someone who is wary of didacticism, this part initially made me uncomfortable. However, the conversation was vibrant, encompassing various viewpoints, and rarely adhering to any specific opinion. One student expressed indifference towards the items, while another admitted to being moved to tears upon seeing them and marveling at the ingenuity of their ancestors. Some saw the small number of returned artifacts as an inherent insult, while others argued that the immaterial aspects of their cultural heritage should not be undervalued. The debate touched on repatriation as a means to enhance France’s image or as a political move by Beninese President Patrice Talon, who, as one student noted, is a descendant of interpreters who facilitated the initial thefts. If the rest of the film offers a somber, poetic perspective on the symbolic and literal restoration of a lost heritage, its portrayal of the youth serves as a bold, discordant, and invigorating counterpoint – energetic, engaged, and focused on creating a future that surpasses the past.
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2024-10-26 02:53