Direction: Matteo Garrone
Country: Italy / Belgium/ France
Io Capitano is a breathtaking migrant odyssey directed and co-written by Matteo Garrone, renowned for works such as Gomorrah (2008) and Dogman (2018). The film, devoid of cynicism and cheap sentimentality, follows the perilous journey of two 16-year-old Senegalese boys who decide to leave Dakar for Europe. Their journey, full of surprises and strong emotions, exposes the harsh realities of racism, exploitation, and inhumanity, while also providing a lesson in courage, humility, and humanism.
Garrone navigates new territory with a firm hand, shedding light on the tenebrous predicaments associated with migration and raising awareness of human rights violations. Beyond its value as a fictional tale, Io Capitano serves as a profound statement on the challenges faced by migrants.
The cinematography by Paolo Carnera captures vast expanses of desert and ocean, adding to the film's visual appeal, while newcomer actor Seydou Sarr, who is like a shinning beam of light in a dark place, delivers a credible performance, conveying innocence and affability. Even though the script may not reach great majesty, Io Capitano remains an indispensable movie about a disturbing global issue with no immediate solution at sight. Its path evokes both touching and shocking emotions simultaneously.
