Africa, a continent of immense diversity and rich history, has been the subject of numerous documentary films aiming to capture its complexities, struggles, and triumphs. These films offer unique perspectives on the continent's past, present, and future, shedding light on both its beauty and its challenges.
A map highlighting the diverse countries within the African continent.
Dahomey: A Story of Repatriation and Reflection
One such film is Dahomey, a 2024 documentary directed by Mati Diop. This film presents a dramatized account of 26 royal treasures from the Kingdom of Dahomey (in modern-day Benin), which were held in a museum in France. It was released theatrically in France on September 11, 2024, by Les Films du Losange, to critical acclaim.
The documentary film blends facts and fiction to narrate the stories of 26 African artworks. The royal artifacts from the Kingdom of Dahomey (1600-1904) were taken to France during the region's colonial period (1872-1960). In the 21st century, they were put on display in the Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, a museum of non-European art located in Paris.
Among the returned works were statues of two kings of Dahomey, Glele and Béhanzin. The film includes a discussion by students at the University of Abomey-Calavi, presenting their views on the repatriation of cultural assets. A prominent role in the film is given to the 26th art object to be repatriated, a statue that represents King Ghézo, who ruled from 1818 to 1859.
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Dahomey was selected to compete at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, where it was awarded the Golden Bear award for the best film. It is the second African film to win the top prize at the festival, following Mark Dornford-May's South African drama film U-Carmen eKhayelitsha in 2015. Dahomey was the second documentary in a row to take the Golden Bear, after Nicolas Philibert's On the Adamant in 2023.
Critics have praised Mati Diop's "inventive" and "distinct approach" to the topic, highlighting the film's "dreamlike score" and its ability to provide space for the "souls of Black folk to shine brighter through repair."
The documentary was produced by Les Films du Bal in co-production with Fanta Sy and distributed by Les Films du Losange. The director was Mati Diop, who also wrote the script, and the director of photography was Joséphine Drouin-Viallard. It was edited by Gabriel Gonzalez. The thoughts of the voiced statue were written by Makenzy Orcel [fr; ht]. The music was composed by Wally Badarou and Dean Blunt.
The film has received several awards and nominations, including:
- Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival
- Nomination for the European Film Awards
- Nomination for the Critics Choice Documentary Awards
Dahomey has also been screened at numerous film festivals, including:
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- Sydney Film Festival
- Toronto International Film Festival
- New York Film Festival
Critical Reception
Critics have lauded "Dahomey" for its unique approach and powerful message.
E. Adam Solomons of IndieWire graded the film B and criticised the runtime of the film, he opined: "Dahomey might have worked better at a runtime of [closer to 30 minutes]: the student debate, though well staged, becomes a bit repetitive, and some of the shots of boxes being loaded and unloaded go at a snail's pace." Concluding Solomons praised the director Mati Diop and wrote: "Dahomey is a bold and memorable history lesson.
Writing for RogerEbert.com, Robert Daniels praised "inventive" Diop's "distinct approach to the seemingly straightforward topic", highlighting the film's "dreamlike score", and saying that Dahomey "fills and nourishes the viewer with urgent desires, providing space for the light that constitutes the souls of Black folk to shine brighter through repair.
Reviewing in Le Polyester, Nicolas Bardot gave the film a 5/6 rating, and stated: "Mati Diop ambitiously mixes the political and the poetic.
| Award | Result |
|---|---|
| Berlin International Film Festival - Golden Bear | Won |
| European Film Awards | Nominated |
| Critics Choice Documentary Awards | Nominated |
“Why Africa’s Richest Country Is Still Poor | The Hidden Colonial Curse of Congo 🇨🇩”
King Leopold's Ghost: Unmasking Colonial Exploitation
Another significant documentary is King Leopold's Ghost, which delves into the dark history of Congo's exploitation under King Leopold II of Belgium. The film uncovers the disturbingly sadistic methods used to enforce slave labor and extract profit from the Congo's rich resources.
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The history of Congo's exploitation begins with the explorer Stanley. What his spin was hiding was unspeakable. "The right hands, I counted 81 in all", William Henry Sheppard reported, after seeing the hands of Africans that had been severed for not meeting rubber quotas. This government-sanctioned violence was all carried out with one aim, to make profit. Joseph Conrad described what he saw in the Congo as, "the vilest scramble for loot that ever disfigured the history of human conscience".
In 1960 the Congo was given its independence and the rise of a young and principled politician, Patrice Lumumba, brought some hope for a better future. But hope was not to last long. The combined machinations of the Americans, the Belgians and the United Nations resulted in Lumumba's capture and death. Joseph Mobutu, the man who would remain in power for the next 38 years, carried out the coup. During his rule he maintained close links with the Western superpowers. They continued to benefit from the Congo's natural resources as their stooge Mobutu was rewarded with vast wealth.
Although Mobutu was finally deposed, King Leopold's ghost continued to ravage the rich Congo lands as various foreign-sponsored, "ragtag armies marauded the countryside". The conflict officially ended in 2003, but the years of turmoil, war and dreadful atrocities had taken its toll. This vivid documentary offers an engrossing insight into the grim colonial legacy which still haunts the Congo today.
Cover of the documentary "King Leopold's Ghost".
Other Notable Films
Besides these two films, there are other documentaries that offer valuable insights into Africa's complex narratives:
- Mali Empire: At the end of his life, Christopher Columbus decided to reveal the extraordinary story of the Mali Empire. Anthropologist and historian Jean-Yves Loude shares the results of his in-depth investigation into Mandinka Emperor Abu Bakr II.
- Mobutu, King of Zaire: This is the definitive visual record of the rise and fall of Joseph Désiré Mobutu, ruler of Zaire (the Congo) for over 30 years.
- Invictus: Nelson Mandela, in his first term as President of South Africa, initiates a unique venture to unite the Apartheid-torn land: enlist the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
- Graceland: Paul Simon returns to South Africa to explore the journey of his Graceland album, including the political backlash he received for allegedly breaking the UN cultural boycott of South Africa designed to end the Apartheid regime.
These films, along with many others, contribute to a deeper understanding of Africa's history, culture, and the challenges it faces. They serve as important tools for education, awareness, and promoting dialogue about the continent's future.
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