Berlinale: Film about looted colonial-era art wins Golden Bear
February 24, 2024
The Berlinale is known for being the most political of the three main European film festivals. In its 74th edition, it remained true to its reputation by awarding its top prize, the Golden Bear, to the documentary “Dahomey” by Mati Diop, which follows the restitution of 26 royal treasures from the Kingdom of Dahomey in France to Benin .
“To rebuild, we must first give back”, said the French-Senegalese filmmaker in her acceptance speech. “We are among those who refuse to forget.”
Diop had already made history at Cannes with the celebrated premiere of her 2019 feature film, “Atlantics,” becoming the first black woman to participate in the festival’s competition.
The documentary is honored at a time when the return of colonial objects is a hotly debated topic in museums of former colonial powers.
Surprising picks among the Silver Bears
Other works considered favorites were, however, rejected by the international jury led by Lupita Nyong’o. The Oscar-winning Mexican-Kenyan actress was joined in the task of selecting the Golden and Silver Bears by six co-jurors: actor and director Brady Corbet (USA), director Ann Hui (Hong Kong, China), director Christian Petzold (Germany), director Albert Serra (Spain), actor and director Jasmine Trinca (Italy) and writer Oksana Zabuzhko (Ukraine).
Source: DW
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