"In 1892, the French took hundreds of artifacts, art, statues, and other treasures from the Kingdom of Dahomey (now Benin). In 2021, France agreed to give back 26 of them, starting a process of reclamation that would prove controversial and fascinating."
"Diop basically tells three aspects of this story: first giving voice to one of the statues, heard over the film as we watch experts care for the treasure..."
"West Africa is not what it was 130 years ago, even as the locals celebrate the arrival of their lost artifacts. After arrival, Diop spends some time with the people in charge of ensuring their safety and condition, chronicling what they're made of and what shape they're in like a doctor would a patient."
"Finally, and most interestingly, she spends time at a meeting between university students and professors about the artifacts, wherein people argue over their cultural value, why it has taken so long..."
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