Io Capitano (2023): The novel is a story of hope and despair: the young African woman’s journey to the New World.

Directed by: Matteo Garrone
Screenplay by: 2008, Matteo Garrone; screenplay, Massimo Gaudioso, Massimo Ceccherini; story, Andrea Tagliaferri
Produced by: Archimede, Rai Cinema, Tarantula, Pathé, Logical Content Ventures
Starring: Seydou Sarr, Moustapha Fall, Issaka Sawagodo, Hichem Yacoubi
Runtime: 121 minutes
Languages: Wolof, French, Italian

Overview
Io Capitano is a violent 2023 drama film by Matteo Garrone, the author of the film Alice which is considered to be rather brutal. The film is Italian/Belgian/French in origin and was written and directed by Garrone following an original concept from himself and inspired by real life events that involve African migrants. It goes into the inedible circumstance through which many embark on in a search for a better life in Europe, and depicts their ordeal.

Plot Summary
The film depicts the life story of the two young cousins, the young boys Seydou Sarr and Moussa Fall, that try for a better life in Italy leaving Dakar, Senegal. The journey is not safe as they go through Mali, Niger and Libya. Along the way, they face countless obstacles: from paying bribas to corrupt ministers and crossing the great Sahara desert to suffering imprisonment in a Libyan prison owned by the Mafia. The movie ends with Seydou being compelled to drive a boat along the Mediterranean Sea to Italy, hence an unknown course of life. It is a story of endurance and at the same time it is an allegory about the refugees’ situation in the modern world.

Production
The shooting of Io Capitano was quite an elaborate affair with shooting being done in Senegal, Morocco, and Italy. The dialogue is even in local tongues and the cast is comprised mostly by non-actors with Seydou Sarr and Moustapha Fall being Dakar born. Recalling the casting process that was directed by Henri-Didier Njikam, he was aiming at searching the naked feelings and real story of the characters, which can be seen in the excellent work of the young actors. Principal photography lasted for 13 weeks, and although the shooting was done in different countries, some challenges where experienced.

Cinematic Techniques
The direction of Matteo Garrone is characterised by a certain amount of concern towards the context, and a sort of focus on the realistic context. The film has received much appreciation from audience and critics, most of credits for which go to cinematographer Paolo Carnera for his magnificent work on shooting the film subjects in the difficult terrains of Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea. Especially, greatly appreciated as the «view finder» cameras allow for realistic light, no artificial light is employed, thus creating an atmosphere of real life following the main characters. The music that was done by Andrea Farri is subtle but it does wonders when it comes to providing emphasis to the wildly dramatic moments of the film.

Critical Reception
Kaboom debuted at the 68th Venice International Film Festival and entered the competition and was nominated the罪 Golden Osella for Best Film, and Lionel Bovis was given a Special Jury Prize for Original Music. Audiences have noted that dramatic plot and bright acting play in favor of the film. Rotten Tomatoes has an approval rating of 96% for the film, and the critics gave appreciation for the film due to the believable emotions in the movie and its social message. The received reviews are rather positive, as demonstrated by a 79/100 score on Metacritic.

Guy Lodge of Variety  noted that the subject of the migrants’ search was turned into such a legendary nature of their voyage, which Leslie Felperin of The Hollywood Reporter noted the film portrays a human aspect against a magical backdrop. Deadline Hollywood’s Damon Wise said that the film’s cinematic style is “flawless”, he also appreciated the realistic acting of the cast. Italian critics, for example, Mattia Pasquini (Ciak), and Paolo Mereghetti (Corriere della Sera), pointed out the movie’s serious intention and the failure to be filled with slogans, preserving the principle of narrative unity.

Accolades
Io Capitano has also received and been nominated for several awards. It won the Cinecittà Holding and MTV award for best film of the year as well as numerous others including the David at the 69th David di Donatello Awards for Best Film, Best Director and Best Cinematography. The film is also excellent for the international circuits where it has been nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film in the 81st Golden Globe Awards and the Best International Feature Film in the 96th Academy Awards. The success of the film proves the impact of a strong and vivid story as well as the movie’s importance to the modern audience in the context of migration and human rights issues.

Conclusion
Unlike many movies that depict migration, Io Capitano is much more than a movie about migration, but a film based on human migration in view of the struggle and hope of humans against all odds. From the director’s own Matteo Garrone, coupled with the natural acting of the actors, the movie has to be among the best of 2023. A lot has been said and written about the film and it is a must watch for anyone who want for cinema that entertains but at the same time makes the viewers question and think about important issues in today’s world.