The kingdom of Dahomey existed between 1600 and 1904 is what is now the West African country of Benin. In 1904 it was formally colonized by France. In a late scene in Dahomey (2024), students argue about the return of 26 artifacts to Benin (the African country where Dahomey once was) and what it means for their culture. Is it a righting of wrongs? Is it a slap in the face, given the 7,000 artifacts that were initially taken? Is it a small step in the right direction?
Dahomey, part documentary and part narrative, opens with strobing eiffel towers layed out on a blanket on a bridge. A Black immigrant sits nearby, hoping to seel his wares. A river cruise passes underneath the bridge, wealthier people dining and drinking and carousing. There is a disparity we are meant to notice, and notice it we do. Without dialogue, we jump to a museum, where priceless artifacts are being packed for a voyage. The film cuts to black: An otherworldy voice speaks to us of times forgotten. Of lost innocence. The voice identifies itself as “26.” (It’s worth noting that the speech by 26, in total darkness, is a testament to sound design and its ability to draw us into a story.) This ancient King, preserved in the form of priceless art, is questioning it’s place in a world so confused and distorted by greed.
Previously, the very long sequence showing priceless artifacts being carefully packed for shipping feels at first, interesting. As it continues to play out, the audience's mind might start to wonder: why are we spending so much time with this? It’s a fair question. Maybe it’s to properly appreciate the inverse of what happened over a hundred years ago: sacred artifacts being taken out of their natural element, to a place they don’t belong, traveling a distance they should’ve never had to travel. It’s undoubtedly interesting to see the behind-the-scenes work that goes into transporting priceless art.
26 continues to tell us more about their misgivings of returning home after being so long abroad. 26 then gets packed onto the dark cargo hold of a plane, and we hear the plane take off. 26’s monologue from the darkness tells of ancient times. We can almost sympathize with this being that has lived in limbo for over a hundred years. The crate finally arrives in Benin, and we see citizens celebrate and wave the Beninois flag. (A country in West Africa, tucked between Togo and Nigeria. Shortly after this, we’ll hear the arguments of students as they grapple with what these artifacts mean to their country. Is it for the glory of France or the glory of Benin? Was it to do the right thing or to be seen doing the right thing? Why only return 26 of 7,000 stolen pieces? Students at the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin debate all sides of this argument, in ways that will familiar to any American viewer living in our currently polarized age.
Dahomey contains the multitudes of the human spirit, and the complexity of how the human intellect can grapple with the worst of humanity’s nature.
Dahomey
Written and Directed by Mati Diop
2024
68 minutes
French
Recommended way to watch (at time of publication): Mubi
You’ll like this if you like: Atlantics (2019), The Woman King(2022)