“Dahomey,” the Berlinale Golden Bear-winning film helmed by French-Senegalese director Mati Diop, has been sold to a raft of international territories by Les Films du Losange.
Along with being acquired by Mubi in key markets, “Dahomey” has been acquired in Australia & New Zealand (Rialto), China (Hugoeast), Spain (Filmin), Portugal (Nitrato Filmes), Greece (One From the Heart), Scandinavia (NonStop Entertainement), Benelux (Cinéart), Bulgaria (Beta Films), Ex-Yugoslavia (Discovery), Hungary (Mozinet), Czech Republic (Film Europe), Romania (Voodoo), Baltic Countries (Taip Toliau), Poland (New Horizons), Ukraine (Kyivmusicfilm), Taiwan (Joint Entertainment), Indonesia (PT Falcon) and Sudu Connexion in Africa.
“Dahomey” was previously acquired by Mubi for North America, Latin America, U.K., Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, India and Turkey. Les Films du Losange is currently negotiating more international sales deals and will distribute the film in theaters in France.
Weaving fantasy and documentary, “Dahomey” explores the issue of colonization through the story of precious artworks being restituted to their country of origin, the present-day Republic of Benin, after being plundered by French colonial troops in 1892 when the African country was called the Kingdom of Dahomey. The restitution of the artworks sparks a debate among students of the University of Abomey-Calavi as they question what attitude to adopt to their homecoming in a country that had to forge ahead in their absence. “Dahomey” also boasts a powerful soundtrack, scored by musicians Wally Badarou and Dean Blunt.
The movie reteams Diop with Eve Robin and Judith Lou Levy at Les Films du Bal, the producers of her debut film “Atlantics.” Diop is co-producing through her banner Fanta Sy based in Senegal.
“Dahomey” marks the sophomore outing of Diop, who is considered one of the leading figures in international arthouse cinema and a new wave of African and diasporic cinema. “Atlantics” won the grand prize at Cannes in 2019, and went to win the Nation Board of Review Award as well as nominations for a Critics Choice Award and Director’s Guild Award.
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