CLOSING FILM: BLACK TEA
FRI 25 OCT | BFI SOUTHBANK, 6:00 PM | TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON
Matt Diop’s film Dahomey delves into the timely issue of restituting African artefacts looted during colonial rule. The film documents the return journey of 26 royal treasures from the Kingdom of Dahomey, which were taken by French troops in 1892.
In November 2021, these artefacts made their way back to Dahomey, now Benin, where they were met with enthusiasm and celebration by a large crowd in the capital city. The film begins in the basement of the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, where the artefacts, including a wooden statue of King Ghezo who ruled Dahomey in the mid-1800s, are packed into crates for their journey home. Makenzy Orcel’s haunting narration provides the looted figure of King Ghezo’s perspectives in a distorted and ghostly voice, brilliantly crafted by sound designers Nicolas Becker and Cyril Holtz. The celebrations and the arrival of local dignitaries for the unveiling and the impassioned debates that follow demonstrate the cultural significance of these artefacts to the people of Benin.
Dahomey is a haunting and provocative film that stands out for its originality and imagination. The Senegalese director, powerfully gives voice to the dead and the dispossessed, creating a poignant and unforgettable cinematic experience.