The Recovered Treasures of Dahomey

"The Recovered Treasures of Dahomey" documentary starts with the story of dozens of royal artifacts of the West African Kingdom of Dahomey that were taken by French colonizers in the 19th century and displayed in Paris. Centuries later, a small portion of these treasures returned to their homeland, present-day Benin. The documentary recounts the journey of 26 treasure items, through the lens of cultural and art historians, struggling university students, and the repatriated statues themselves. In November 2021, 26 Dahomey royal treasures were sent back to Benin from Paris. These artifacts were looted during the French colonial attack in 1892. However, how would this "return of the ancestors" be received in a country that had to build and live in their absence? As the spirit of the works was released, a debate has flared among the students of Abomey Calavi University.

The documentary vividly conveys the events and debates in Benin, helping viewers to better understand the story of the Dahomey Kingdom and the challenges of the post-colonial period. It also draws attention to the importance of cultural heritage and the complexity of repatriation.

The shootings were done in Benin, the modern successor of Dahomey.