Blooming

A slow, immersive blend of raw documentary and dreamlike imagery that lingers on the weight of history and ecological struggle.

Directed by

Marina Russo Villani, Victor Missud

Genres

Documentary

Starring

Suzanne Danyihoun, Arselle Houngbo, Dieudonné Sewade

Overview

Founded three hundred years ago as a refuge from slave traders, Ganvié, in Benin, has become the largest stilt village in Africa and now attracts thousands of tourists. But the people of the water, who once resisted colonization, are today colonized by a new invader: the water hyacinth. Said to have been introduced to decorate hotels and luxury homes, this plant now spreads at a staggering and uncontrollable rate, suffocating the lake. A small Beninese company has managed to turn this scourge into a resource—but at the cost of exhausting labor. Raw realism and imaginary visions blend together, as if one could only be understood—or endured—through the lens of the other.

How it feels

Melancholic, earnest and eerie. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Colonialism, environment, survival, work

Content

Mild language. No violence, gore or sexual content.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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