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GOD GAVE HER A MERCEDES BENZ
Dir. Katia Forbert Petersen (1992)
“How much does Democracy cost?" asks the woman holding up her folded wad of cash, her determined gaze fixed on Maman, the unwavering figure behind the counter. In the bustling fabric store in downtown Lomé, the air is thick with anticipation as each woman raises her francs, attempting to bargain and lower the price. But Maman remains resolute, refusing to compromise on the value of her merchandise.
These spirited scenes were captured in the 1992 film GOD GAVE HER A MERCEDES BENZ by Katia Forbert Petersen. Through this documentary, we encounter the Nana Benz (also known as Mama Benz), a group of influential women who ruled over the textile trade in Togo's capital city during the mid-20th century. They built their fortunes by controlling the trade in Dutch wax print, industrially produced fabrics with a contested colonial history that have become central to African dress and identity.
Featured in , a research film series curated by Max Diallo Jakobsen for the Lusaka Contemporary Arts Centre (LuCAC) in Nov-Dec 2025.
A screening of the film was held in the library of LuCAC, followed by a short presentation and open discussion.
Thursday, 27th November | 18:00 hours
Free & open to all