Restitution Study Group Taking Benin Bronze Story to Cannes

Alpes-Cote dAzur, France May 23, 2023 (Issuewire.com) – The Restitution Study Group (RSG), a New York based reparatory justice non-profit, is bringing their short film, “They Belong to All of Us: The Benin Bronze Slave Trade Story,” to France for two Out of Competition screenings at the Marche du Film in Cannes on Thursday, May 25th, 2023.

Free DNA tests will be available at both screenings for descendants of transatlantic enslaved Africans who wish to learn their ancestry.*

The first screening will be at the International Cellphone Cinema Showcase, 2pm at the Eden Hotel and Spa, Loho Auditorium. Q & A will follow featuring Deadria Farmer-Paellmann, Executive Director of the RSG and Sheila Camaroti, Germany/Brazil Mobilizer for the RSG — both leaders, along with Ms. Stanford-Xosei, of the campaign for co-ownership of Benin bronzes for DNA Descendants of the enslaved who paid for the relics with their lives.

The second screening of the day will be at the 8th Annual Cannes Global Short Film Awards Gala and Luxury Fashion Show 2023, May 25th, 7pm at the Carlton Cannes.

“This film is the shocking truth about the iconic Benin bronzes. It belongs in Cannes where it will be seen and inspire brilliant filmmakers to bring the story to the big screen,” says Farmer-Paellmann.

“My ancestors were the first in the 1540’s and last enslaved by the Portuguese until 1888 for the metal used to make the Benin bronzes. This story has been hidden from us. It’s time to tell it!” says Sheila Camaroti.

They Belong to All of Us – The Benin Bronze Slave Trade Story, 6mins 44 sec

Director: Tylon Washington
Executive Producer/Writer: Deadria Farmer-Paellmann

Logline:
A punitive expedition in 1897 leaves a powerful African kingdom demolished and void of its most precious cultural property — 10,000 iconic relics worth $30 billion in today’s currency. A law student unearths the untold narrative of the Benin bronzes and upends a corrupt repatriation effort. This is the documentary.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/0uqx0NbbI

Tickets: https://bit.ly/gsf-awards-2023

*limited supplies, first come first served

#theybelongtoallofus #shortfilm #africa #beninbronzes #cannesfilmfestival @gsfawardsfestival
www.rsgincorp.org