• Director(s):

    VENNEMANI (Jean-Michel)

  • Producer(s):

    SYSTEM TV, ARTE FRANCE

  • Territories:

    Worldwide.

  • Production year:

    2007

  • Language(s):

    German, French

  • Rights:

    TV, DVD, NON-THEATRICAL, INTERNET, VOD

A commemoration in remembrance of slaves, sent off to Europe or the United States, a Voodoo celebration, or a beauty pageant… such events can be seen on the beaches of Cotonou.

They are almost deserted during the week, and packed on Sundays. People come here with their families (extended families…), or in couples (to rent out little huts, available for short periods of intimacy !). The beach is a busy social scene where people talk and talk, and negotiate the price of fish… and almost never swim. The water apparently is too dangerous, they’re afraid of the sea, and of drowning, despite the gifts proffered to the local goddess, Mamy Wata, to appease her…