EVENING & MATINEE SCREENINGS
Mati Diop’s Dahomey is a lyrical and thought-provoking film that follows the long-awaited return of 26 royal artifacts from France to Benin, objects taken during the era of colonial conquest. Moving beyond a straightforward documentary, the film blends observation, imagination and debate to capture the emotional weight of this historic moment and the questions it inevitably raises.
Rather than offering a single viewpoint, Diop weaves together many voices, curators, historians, students and citizens, to explore what restitution represents today. At the heart of the film are conversations among young Beninese people, whose reflections challenge official narratives and confront the unfinished business of colonial history. Their discussions reveal both hope and uncertainty about how the past should live within the present.
Dahomey is ultimately less about objects than about memory, identity and power. By tracing the journey of these treasures back to their homeland, the film asks who has the right to hold history and how cultural heritage shapes collective futures. With its bold cinematic language and quietly radical perspective, Dahomey invites audiences to rethink the meaning of return, repair and historical justice.
Directed by Mati Diop
1hr 8mins
2024
Both screenings - Thursday 19th February 2025
MATINEE
Doors open: 1pm
Screening: 1:30pm
EVENING
Doors open: 6pm
Screening: 6:30pm
Ticket £12 (includes a complimentary glass of wine)
Important Notice to Ticket Holders - Tickets are non-refundable/exchangable