Berlin, Germany – Documentary filmmaker Mati Diop has made history by winning the prestigious Golden Bear for best film at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival with her latest work, “Dahomey”. The film explores the cultural impact of the return of royal treasures from the African Kingdom of Dahomey to present-day Benin, shedding light on the complex emotions surrounding the repatriation of these artifacts.
During the awards ceremony, Diop used her platform to make a bold political statement by expressing her solidarity with Palestine. The jury, led by the first Black and African chair, Lupita Nyong’o, announced “Dahomey” as the winner of the Golden Bear, marking only the second time an African film has claimed the top prize at Berlinale.
In a unique turn of events, “Dahomey” was acquired by art house streamer Mubi for North America and other regions, demonstrating the film’s global appeal and significance. This victory also signifies a continued trend of documentaries claiming the Golden Bear at Berlinale, following last year’s win by French filmmaker Nicolas Philibert’s “On the Adamant”.
The awards ceremony also recognized other exceptional talents in the industry, including filmmaker Hong Sangsoo, who secured the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize for “A Traveler’s Needs”. Sebastian Stan’s performance in “A Different Man” earned him the Silver Bear for best leading performance, adding to the diverse array of talents honored at the event.
The festival also addressed pressing political issues, with a special prize awarded to the documentary “No Other Land”, focusing on the Israeli government’s actions in expelling Palestinians from a village in the West Bank. Director Juliana Rojas and other winners, like Ben Russell and Guillaume Cailleau, used their platforms to call for peace in Gaza and condemn ongoing conflicts.
As the festival concluded, it marked the farewell of artistic director Carlo Chatrian and managing director Mariëtte Rissenbeek, who will be succeeded by Tricia Tuttle. The 74th Berlin International Film Festival showcased a diverse range of talent and films, underscoring the power of cinema to address pressing social and political issues on a global scale.