In this acclaimed film which won top directing and acting prizes at the Venice Film Festival, writer-director Garrone presents a 'reverse shot' of the immigration experience while unfurling an epic, cinematographically magnificent odyssey from West Africa to Italy. The story is told through the mind’s eye and experiences of two Senegalese teenagers living in Dakar who yearn for a brighter future in Europe. Yet between their dreams and reality lies a treacherous journey through a labyrinth of checkpoints, the scorched Saharan desert, a fetid North African prison and the vast waters of the Mediterranean where thousands have died packed inside vessels barely fit for passage.

The Garden Cinema View:

Io Capitano is an epic of migration, which blends social and magic realism with very moving results.The film distances itself from stereotypical migration narratives in that its two teenage protagonists are not fleeing a wretched existence, but a loving community in Senegal. Here, the two teenagers' eagerness to succeed in Europe's music industry entices them in this perilous odyssey.

The film is stunningly shot, with the cinematography choices successfully placing the audience alongside the two protagonists, grounding the viewing experience. However,  the real strength of the film lies in the incredible performances of the two leads, especially Seydoo Sarr. A non-actor who was scouted by director Matteo Garrone in a small village in Senegal, Sarr carries the film, demonstrating an exceptional authenticity and poise which deservedly earned him the Marcello Mastroianni Award for an emerging actor at the Venice Film Festival.

Although Matteo Garrone is remarkable in this effort to see Italy (his country) from the eyes of an outsider,  the lack of Senegalese representation in the filmmaking is at times tangible, resulting in an occasionally uncomfortable Western gaze on the experience.

Nonetheless, Io Capitano remains a powerful and resonant exploration of migrant experience.

The screening on 13 April was followed by a post-film conversation hosted by Alice Aedy in discussion with SOS Mediterranee.

Cast:
Seydou Sarr, Moustapha Fall