_{Io Capitano – A film by Matteo Garrone – in cinemas April 5}

I think this film is brilliant. Watching it took me right in beside two teenagers from Senegal on their journey to Europe .

The film begins in a crowded home, from which the two restless cousins emerge. Both are keen on improving their lot, and both of the young men are sure that Europe will give them the best chance to do so.

Matteo Garrone, the director, does not pass any kind of judgement in this film – he just lets us see. I found it an emotional watch, as from the first dusty bus journey it’s evident that the extortion faced by the youngsters will only going get worse … and it does. It’s horrific in parts, but balanced with a hope that stays with the story right to the end.

The stars of the show (Seydou Sarr and Moustapha Fall) are themselves from Senegal, and they speak in their mother tongue from the beginning of the film, with the languages around them changing as the story progresses through desert expanses, to an unspeakable prison, and on towards the coast. It’s a vivid, desperate story – human, hopeful, brutal, built on truth, and shown from an angle I’d never seen as intensely before.

If I had awards to hand out I’d give them to this film. I hope you might get the chance to see it.

Here is a link to more about the film.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2024