Dahomey

Directed by Mati Diop
2024    68mDocumentary
6.899%
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.

Where to Watch Dahomey

Cast of Dahomey

  • Lucrèce Hougbelo(voice)
  • Parfait Vaiayinon(voice)
  • Didier Sedoha Nassangade(voice)
  • Sabine Badjogoumin(voice)
  • Dowoti DesirSelf
  • Micheline AyinonSelf
  • Bicarel GnikpoSelf
  • Nadia Vihoutou KponadouSelf
  • Carlos OunsouganRadio Univers
  • Saturnin OlouRadio Univers
  • Michael VogbeRadio Univers
  • Pricette ZannouRadio Univers
  • Armel AnagonouRadio Univers
  • Amour AmoussouvikpoRadio Univers
  • Alexandre ViakinnouRadio Univers
  • Willyam KlikanRadio Univers
  • Wilfried KiataganRadio Univers
  • Sarkis GounonRadio Univers
  • Lino MewdehouRadio Univers
  • Pretextat BgelidiRadio Univers
  • Gilbert TonouewaRadio Univers
  • Placide KagbanonRadio Univers
  • Gildas AdannouSelf
  • Morias AgbessiSelf
  • Maryline AgbossiSelf
  • Habib AhandessiSelf
  • Didier Donatien AlihonouSelf
  • Imelda BatamoussiSelf
  • Calixte BiahSelf
  • Jules BoccoSelf
  • Messi BocoSelf
  • Diane CakpoSelf
  • Gaël DaavoSelf
  • Chamelie DognonSelf
  • Paul Timothée DotoSelf
  • Odilon GbenontinSelf
  • Donald GbossaSelf
  • Alain GodonouSelf - Commissaire de l'exposition
  • Gilbert GodovoSelf
  • Edah GontranSelf
  • Joséa GuedjeSelf
  • Abdoulaye ImorouSelf
  • Yvon Kossou-YovoSelf
  • Raïmi Bassitou NouatinSelf
  • Rose OuemehoSelf
  • Richard J.V. SoganSelf
  • Joël TchogbéSelf
  • Mati DiopDirector / Writer / Producer
  • Eve RobinProducer
  • Judith Lou LévyProducer

Dahomey Ratings & Reviews

  • Kevin WardJuly 1, 2025
    Unique doc that reflects on the return of 26 stolen artifacts as they’re brought back to Benin while thousands more like them remain in France. The most enlightening portions are the university open forum where students debate the importance of the return, the educational value etc and whether the return should be taken as good will or rather an insult given the immense amount of artifacts still being held. Though the elements that depict the POV of one of the artifacts are creative, they started to feel a bit too much like filler in an already slight documentary (sub 70 minutes in length). Its short length makes it an easy watch though, and certainly worth watching.

 

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