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On this page: DAHOMEY | THE DIVIDED ISLAND | A SUDDEN GLIMPSE TO DEEPER THINGS

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See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL | Last update 27.Oct.24

Dahomey
Review by Rich Cline | 3.5/5

dir-scr Mati Diop
prd Mati Diop, Judith Lou Levy, Eve Robin
with Alain Godonou, Rose Ouemeho, Josea Guedje, Odilon Gbenontin, Messi Boco, Maryline Agbossi, Gael Sankara Daavo, Abdoulaye Imorou, Joel Tchogbe
voices Sabine Badjogoumin, Lucrece Hougbelo, Parfait Vaiayinon
release Fr 11.Sep.24,
UK/US 25.Oct.24
24/France 1h08

BERLIN FILM FEST
TORONTO FILM FEST

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French filmmaker Mati Diop takes an artful, experimental approach to this documentary, which traces the return of historical treasures to Benin. It's an intriguing mix, from silent fly-on-the-wall camerawork to covering a bristling debate. And along the way, Diop also creates voices for the artefacts themselves in rather indulgently poetic snippets. The original approach is fascinating, cutting through the noise to tackle a thorny issue with personal insight.

In 2021, France's government returned 26 museum pieces that had been plundered from the Kingdom of Dahomey in 1892. They are carefully crated and shipped, then welcomed back to Benin by jubilant crowds. As they go on display in the national museum there, young people gather to discuss the complex issue of their lost heritage, that more than 7,000 items were actually stolen, and the fact that they are having this debate in French, because that is the only language they now speak, since indigenous languages and cultures are not taught in school.

Much of the film is virtually silent, as we observe empty museum hallways, workers carefully packing statues of kings for their voyage and others unpacking and lovingly putting them in new glass cases. In between there are point-of-view shots accompanied by the growling voice of item 26, which questions the whole process, recalling dreamlike memories of the homeland and wondering where it truly belongs and what it means. This is all so esoteric that it feels almost meaningless, but it adds some unexpected angles to the extended sequence in which young people discuss what these artefacts mean to them and their nation.

Yes, this film is documenting something hugely important, as it delves into the issue of identity in a post-colonial world. Of course, the intervening century can't be avoided, as it's part Benin's history as well. But pointed comments about language and culture offer plenty to think about, as does a discussion of how the local historical religion is now thought of as primitive, practiced in secret. The impact of European society and the Catholic church are everywhere, having profoundly changed this place. And yet, perhaps in recovering these objects the people can gain a pride in their own achievements and legacy.

themes 21.Oct.24

The Divided Island
Review by Rich Cline | 4/5

dir Cey Sesiguzel
prd Cey Sesiguzel, Andreas Tokkallos, Richard Merrills
with Andrekos Varnava, James Ker-Lindsay, Andromachi Sophocleous, Sylvia Zacharia, Christina Pavlou, Nick Yiannoullou, Tom Fortis-Mayer, Suleyman Camgox, Yasar Ismailoglu, Sevgul Uludag, Serife Gul, Kemal Baykalli, Ipek Ozerim
release UK 1.Nov.24
24/UK 1h30

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Since 1964, Cyprus has been split in two. This sharply assembled documentary explores the thorny situation using recollections of everyday people alongside well-researched facts. The filmmakers, Turkish Cypriot Cey Sesiguzel and Greek Cypriot Andreas Tokkallos, skilfully recount the history, carefully maintaining balance while also clearly pointing out who did what. But as one person notes, peace is a basic human need, and we need to work for it.

At the crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa, Cyprus has been ruled by various empires. Then in the late 1950s, previously united Cypriots began dividing along Greek and Turkish lines. After living together for centuries, the sudden separation of communities was a shock, spurred by bigotry between Muslims and Christians that was stoked by Britain, which took over Cyprus in 1878 for military reasons. An intense rivalry emerged between religious and political groups who wanted to define the island's identity. A violent 1964 civil war led to a decade of brutality before the UN-sanctioned partition.

Using interviews with surviving residents alongside archival footage, photos, newsreels and expert commentary, the film notes that Cypriots are genetically inter-connected after centuries of sharing the island. But as they did all over the world, Britain played one community against another. So when the Republic of Cyprus was created in 1960, there was fear between political groups. Hearing people discuss the emergence of various ideas is chilling, as each group demonised the other. The Greek majority preferred union with Greece, rather than having an independent or divided Cyprus. This led to a violent 1974 coup by hardline Greek nationalists, and Turkey replied with a military invasion. Since then, nationalism has fed divisiveness, but a new generation is looking deeper.

Unearthing the facts is difficult, but the filmmakers tenaciously present the truth in a strikingly well-assembled narrative without taking sides, punctuated by personal recollections that add intensely emotional angles. The ongoing generational trauma is painful to witness, the result of tens of thousands of people on both sides being uprooted, tortured and murdered. The salient comment is that this conflict will never end if everyone is concerned with being right. In Cyprus, everyone was a victim of war crimes, and fear continues to dominate. but wounds will never heal as long as there is hatred. What is needed is a personal sense of empathy and perspective.

themes, violence 24.Oct.24

A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things
Review by Rich Cline | 3.5/5

A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things
dir-scr Mark Cousins
prd Mary Bell, Adam Dawtrey
narr Mark Cousins, Tilda Swinton
with Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Lynne Green, Rob Airey, David Lewis
release UK 18.Oct.24
24/UK 1h28

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"This is the story of a woman," begins this documentary by Mark Cousins, which takes a kaleidoscopic approach to the life of famed abstract artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. It's a bit indulgent, focussing on her art with only passing notes about her private life. But the film clips, audio recordings, archival snapshots, present-day footage and a wonderful collection of her work offer a fascinating glimpse into her unique mind.

Born in St Andrews in 1912, Willie set up her studio at the other end of Britain in St Ives. Recurring themes in her drawings and paintings include mirror images and opaque layers of colour. Then a 1949 visit to an Alpine glacier dramatically shifted her style moving forward. Her vibrant, textured work ripples with the effects of her synesthesia, a condition that links colour to people and places. Dismissed by the art world as a woman, she was one of the world's greatest abstract artists, only receiving honour later in life.

"Men supported her and undermined her," Cousins says, "and many told the history of 20th century art without mentioning her," even after Barns-Graham won prizes and sold pieces to major collectors. The level at which she has been sidelined is astonishing. Playing on her public image, Cousins notes that she looked practical, outdoorsy and conventional. And her large country home, academic prowess and other things created other assumptions about her. Even her dramatic youthful beauty had its own impact, and people speak about how animated and flirtatious she was.

Cousin's narration recounts her story with whimsically offbeat observations, plus terrific readings by Swinton. Barns-Graham's eyes were caught by un-romantic things, looking into the ground rather than the sky, and her evocative work continued to evolve right up to her death at age 91. The film allows us to soak in her paintings before exploring them in more detail. The idea here is to try to see the world through her distinctly observant eyes, analysing the structure and nature of her art. In this way, Cousins inventively creates a remarkably intimate portrait of a singular artist who still has a lot to say.

themes 17.Oct.24

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See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL