Oscars: Senegal Picks ‘Dahomey’ for Best International Feature Category

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As a passionate cinephile with a penchant for stories that delve into the rich tapestry of cultural heritage, I am absolutely thrilled about Mati Diop’s “Dahomey” representing Senegal at the Academy Awards! Her journey as a filmmaker, bridging two continents and cultures, resonates deeply with my own experiences of straddling worlds.

The French-Senegalese documentarian Mati Diop’s film titled “Dahomey,” which bagged the prestigious Golden Bear award at the Berlin Film Festival, will now represent Senegal as their entry for the Best International Feature Film category in the upcoming Academy Awards.

This movie follows the journey back to modern-day Benin, which is home to the Kingdom once known as Dahomey, of 26 priceless artifacts that were taken by France during the 19th century. These items are set to be returned as part of amends, given their historical significance. The Kingdom of Dahomey was portrayed in Viola Davis’ historical film, “The Woman King.

The director’s personal journey as a cultural reviver is profoundly intertwined with her work, and she thoughtfully explores themes of repatriation and reparations, in the multi-layered documentary-fiction piece titled Dahomey. This was noted in the review of Dahomey, which originated from Berlin, by The Hollywood Reporter.

As a passionate gamer diving into the world of history and culture, I find myself pondering over Diop’s question: What does the cultural resurgence mean when artworks taken from Benin are returned by France? This thought-provoking query stirs my curiosity about the profound impact such restitution could have on preserving and celebrating our shared heritage.

The world premiered feature documentary is set to be shown next at the Toronto Film Festival and the New York Film Festival, followed by its release in cinemas on October 18th.

Diop was awarded her highest honor, the Golden Bear, by Berlin jury president and acclaimed actor Lupita Nyong’o, who made history as the first Black and African to lead the Berlinale jury. Co-producer credits for the film “Dahomey” are shared with Eve Robin and Judith Lou Lévy.

For your submission to the 96th Oscars, the due date is November 14, 2024. On December 17, the shortlist for the best international feature category nominees will be unveiled. The nominations themselves will be announced on January 17, 2025. Finally, mark your calendars: The Academy Awards ceremony for 2025 will take place on Sunday, March 2.

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2024-09-13 19:24