Educational Media Reviews Online

Restitution? – Africa’s Fight for its Art examines the historic and modern relationship between African and colonizing European countries, tracking the removal of art from the African continent, as well as the processes and politics surrounding that art’s occasional return to its place of origin. While the film is produced by European filmmakers, African museum professionals and academics are included, as well as their French and German counterparts, giving the documentary a relatively balanced viewpoint. The filmmakers are critical of European institutions and their low rates of restitution of artwork, material culture, and human remains. The film argues for more significant action towards postcolonial restitution and respect for African cultural institutions.

The film uses extensive primary source material, in the form of photographs and video from the 19th and 20th centuries. The pacing and videography are expertly done, and the film will be instructive for a wide range of viewers. This film is highly recommended for those interested in restitution, African art and art history, museum studies, and the history of colonialism.

The film goes into depth on its subject matter and would be informative for viewers high school – general adult. Screeners should note that primary source material includes descriptions of medical violence, images of extreme colonial violence, and footage of cultures with norms of nudity; however, all noted content is relevant to the documentary, contextualized, and historically accurate.

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