French Studies, Human Rights, CMIA, GSS, Literature, and the Division of Languages & Literature Presents

Albertine French Film Festival: Dahomey

Winner of the coveted Golden Bear prize at the 2024 Berlinale, Dahomey is an immersive and astounding work of art from Mati Diop – director of the award-winning feature, Atlantics. Delving into real perspectives on far-reaching issues surrounding appropriation, self-determination and restitution, this acclaimed documentary is a poetic look at a seldom-discussed history. The film takes as its subject 26 royal treasures of the Kingdom of Dahomey, which, along with thousands of others, were plundered by French colonial troops in 1892. As these artifacts are due to leave Paris to return to their country of origin, the present-day Republic of Benin, Diop questions how they should be received in a country that has reinvented itself in their absence.

“At a time when many documentaries stretch into episode after episode, there’s something refreshing about one that doesn’t aspire to be all-encompassing... Dahomey is at once haunting and humble.” – The Wall Street Journal

Click here to view the film's trailer.

This festival is supported by a grant from Albertine Cinémathèque, part of the French for All initiative by Villa Albertine–The French Institute for Culture and Education, and Albertine Foundation. It is made possible with the support of the Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée (CNC). All films will be introduced in English and shown with English subtitles.

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For more information, call 845-758-6822, or e-mail [email protected].

Time: 7:30 pm EST/GMT-5

Location: Bertelsmann Campus Center, Weis Cinema

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