Berlin, Germany – “Dahomey,” a thought-provoking documentary by director Mati Diop, has won the top prize at the Berlin film festival. The film explores the complex issues surrounding the return of looted antiquities from Europe to Africa. This year’s festival, the 74th annual event, was the first to feature Lupita Nyong’o as the first black jury president. The jury chose “Dahomey” as the winner out of 20 contenders for the prestigious Golden Bear award.
In her acceptance speech, Diop expressed that the prize not only honored her but also the invisible and visible community that the film represents. She highlighted the importance of restitution, stating that “to rebuild we must first restitute.” She called restitution a means of achieving justice.
Other notable winners at the festival include Sebastian Stan, who received the Silver Bear for Best Performance for his role in “A Different Man.” Stan played a character with neurofibromatosis, shedding light on disfigurement and disability.
Emily Watson was awarded the Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance for her portrayal of a cruel mother superior in “Small Things Like These.” The film focuses on the Magdalene laundries network in Ireland, a scandalous part of the country’s history.
The festival also recognized the Palestinian-Israeli activist collective for their documentary “No Other Land,” which explored the displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank.
“Dahomey” itself tells the story of the repatriation of 26 artifacts from the Dahomey kingdom to Benin from a Paris museum. Diop masterfully weaves together history, art, and personal narratives to highlight the significance of restitution. The documentary has been hailed as a “miracle” by critics for its compelling storytelling and powerful message.
While acknowledging the importance of the restitution gesture, Diop also stressed that there is still a long way to go. Only 26 artifacts were returned out of the thousands still held captive in Paris.
The Berlin film festival serves as a platform for filmmakers to showcase their talent and tackle important social issues. This year’s award-winning films shed light on various topics, including disability, historical injustices, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Overall, the Berlin film festival continues to celebrate diverse voices and thought-provoking storytelling, leaving a lasting impact on the global film industry.