Io capitano

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Io capitano
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMatteo Garrone
Written by
Produced by
  • Matteo Garrone
  • Paolo Del Brocco
Starring
  • Seydou Sarr
  • Moustapha Fall
CinematographyPaolo Carnera[1]
Edited byMarco Spoletini[1]
Music byAndrea Farri[1]
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 6 September 2023 (2023-09-06) (Venice)
  • 7 September 2023 (2023-09-07) (Italy)
  • 3 January 2024 (2024-01-03) (France)
  • 10 January 2024 (2024-01-10) (Belgium)
Running time
121 minutes[1]
Countries
  • Italy
  • Belgium
  • France
Languages
Budget€11 million
Box office$7 million[2]

Io capitano (lit. 'Me Captain' in Italian) is a 2023 drama film directed by Matteo Garrone, from a screenplay written by Garrone with Massimo Gaudioso, Massimo Ceccherini and Andrea Tagliaferri.[3]

The film, an international co-production between Italy, Belgium and France, is based on an original idea by Garrone, inspired by actual stories of migrants' African routes to Europe. Filming took place in Senegal, Morocco and Italy.

Io capitano competed for the Golden Lion at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Lion for Matteo Garrone's direction and the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Seydou Sarr's performance.[4] It was released in Italy on 7 September 2023. Io Capitano received critical acclaim and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 81st Golden Globe Awards, and Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards and earned 15 nominations at 69th David di Donatello awards.[5]

Plot[edit]

Seydou and Moussa, two Senegalese teenage cousins, leave their hometown Dakar to reach Italy and escape poverty. They transit through Mali equipped with false passports. The forgery is discovered by a policeman, but they avoid prison in exchange for a bribe. Once in Niger, they pay to join a group that will cross the desert on foot with a guide until they enter Libya. The group consists of many women and young children. One woman passes away from exhaustion. After entering Libya, Rebels intercept the group and shake them down for valuables. When the rebels discover that Moussa has been hiding his money, they take him to jail. Seydou continues with the group, forlorn. After crossing the desert, the trip turns out to be a ruse as the group is locked in a Mafia-run prison with hundreds of people from all over Africa. Under threat of torture, the inmates are extorted for contact information of relatives so that they may be asked for ransom money. Rather than allow his family to know he has been captured, Seydou allows himself to be subjected to torture. The next day, the guards relocate inmates who have specialized skills. Representatives of wealthy individuals examine the inmates as a slave auction is conducted. Another inmate named Martin offers himself and Seydou as bricklayers.

Despite their servitude, the two are mostly treated well as workers on a remote wealthy estate. Martin and Seydou bond in their cooperation and discussions of their families and hopes for their futures. Having completed a number of tasks well, the patriarch of the estate releases Martin and Seydou and pays for their transport to Tripoli. Martin sorrowfully departs Tripoli to continue his journey towards Naples while Seydou remains in Tripoli to search the Senegalese enclaves for Moussa. After supporting himself by working in construction for a period of time, Seydou finally locates Moussa. Moussa had escaped from jail but was shot in the leg while doing so. Moussa's leg is temporarily stabilized, but his need for advanced medical care puts further pressure on Seydou to resume the journey to Europe. They turn to a fixer, Ahmed, who organizes the crossings in the Mediterranean Sea.

Not having enough money, they are offered only one option: Seydou will have to drive the boat himself. Ahmed instructs Seydou on how to steer the vehicle and navigate with a compass. Despite a grueling journey, Seydou manages to pilot the boat and all of the passengers to Sicily. Mere miles offshore from Sicily, the boat is intercepted by an Italian coast guard helicopter. Despite the jubilation of Seydou and the boat's passengers, they now face an uncertain future in the hands of the Italian government.

Cast[edit]

  • Seydou Sarr as Seydou
  • Moustapha Fall as Moussa
  • Issaka Sawagodo as Martin
  • Hichem Yacoubi as Ahmed
  • Doodou Sagna as Charlatan
  • Khady Sy as Seydou's Mother
  • Bamar Kane as Bouba
  • Cheick Oumar Diaw as Sisko

Production[edit]

Io capitano is based on an original idea by director Matteo Garrone, who wrote the screenplay with Massimo Gaudioso, Massimo Ceccherini and Andrea Tagliaferri.[6] The script is based on the stories of emigration from Africa to Europe by Kouassi Pli Adama Mamadou, Arnaud Zohin, Amara Fofana, Brhane Tareke, and Siaka Doumbia.[7]

The film was produced by Archimede, Rai Cinema, Tarantula, Pathé and Logical Content Ventures, in coproduction with RTBF, VOO-BE TV, Proximus and Shelter Prod, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Film and Audiovisual Centre of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, taxshelter.be, ING, and the tax shelter of the Belgian federal government, and the participation of Canal+, Ciné+ and Wallimage (Wallonia).[8][9] The project had a budget of approximately €11.2 million.[10]

The castings, under the direction of Henri-Didier Njikam, took place on the African continent, and features Seydou Sarr and Moustapha Fall, originally from Dakar, at ages 17 and 18, respectively.[11] Principal photography began in Dakar, Senegal. The production, which lasted for 13 weeks, also took place in Morocco and Italy.[3][12]

Release[edit]

Io capitano was selected to compete for the Golden Lion at the 80th Venice International Film Festival,[13] where it had its world premiere on 6 September 2023.[1] World sales are handled by Pathé International. The film was theatrically released in Italy on 7 September 2023 by 01 Distribution.[6] Pathé distributed the film in France on 3 January 2024.[14] Paradiso Films handled the theatrical release in Belgium on 10 January 2024.[15] It was also released by Cohen Media Group in the United States on 23 February 2024.[16]

A special screening of the film took place at the Vatican on 14 September 2023. Garrone and the cast of the film were in attendance, where they were granted an audience with Pope Francis at his Domus Sanctae Marthae residence.[17][18]

Reception[edit]

The direction of Matteo Garrone was critically acclaimed during the 80th Venice International Film Festival.

Critical response[edit]

During its premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, the film received a standing ovation of 13 minutes.[19]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 97% based on 99 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10. The website's consensus reads: "A journey toward hope, Io Capitano perambulates through the ravishing Saharan landscape encountering the most sublime and debased corners of humanity".[20] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 79 out of 100, based on 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable".[21]

Guy Lodge of Variety reflected on the theme of the film by reporting that, compared to other European film projects dealing with African emigration to Europe, it is seen "not as a setting but as an almost mythical goal." Lodge states that the director proves to be "more robust and fulfilling" than in previous projects, and that although the film in some scenes presents "Western aesthetics and narrative instincts," it is "hard not to get caught up in the film's great emotional range" supported by the skill of actor Seydou Sarr.[22] Leslie Felperin, reviewing the film for The Hollywood Reporter, wrote that despite the presence of "dazzling landscapes," the film "always keeps the focus on human beings," sensing a "tension between the everyday world and the spiritual dimension, a blurring that is often a characteristic of West African cinema," due to the fact that "Garrone cares about making us think until the last moment of the film."[23] Deadline Hollywood journalist Damon Wise has described the cinematic technique adopted for the film as "impeccable," writing that cinematographer Paolo Carnera was able to convey "a surprising and engaging immediacy." Wise also says that "the film's greatest merit" was the cast of actors who are able to make the project "authentic at every stage of its audacious journey."[24] Robbie Collin of the Telegraph awarded the movie four stars out of five, writing that "Garrone knows exactly where he's leaving both his heroes and his audience: on the agonising cusp of a happily-ever-after his film makes you want to will into existence."[25]

For Italian film critic Mattia Pasquini of Ciak gave the film four stars out of five, writing that the most important factor is the "intellectual and design honesty" in which the director makes "the choice to limit his authorship." The journalist reported that although the film sidesteped some "dramatic possibilities" and presents a "mechanical" narrative in some scenes, the end result is constituted of "legitimate and uncritical choices that make the film ideologically unassailable."[26] Davide Turrini of Il Fatto Quotidiano stated that in the film "the immediate structural reference is to the Odyssey" in which "the fragile and soft innocence of the two protagonists" are "prevented from being a community of solidarity."[27] Paolo Mereghetti, reviewing the film for Corriere della Sera, wrote that the film is able to "always remain at protagonist height, identifying with their gaze, avoiding any preachy attitude" transfiguring "tragedy through the power of fantasy and fable."[28]

Accolades[edit]

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Academy Awards 10 March 2024 Best International Feature Film Io capitano Nominated [29]
David di Donatello 3 May 2024 Best Film Pending [5]
Best Producer Archimede, Rai Cinema, Pathé, Tarantula Pending
Best Director Matteo Garrone Pending
Best Original Screenplay Matteo Garrone, Massimo Gaudioso, Massimo Ceccherini, Andrea Tagliaferri Pending
Best Cinematography Paolo Carnera Pending
Best Score Andrea Farri Pending
Best Song "Baby" – Music by Andrea Farri; Lyrics and Performed by Seydou Sarr Pending
Best Sets and Decorations Dimitri Capuani, Roberta Troncarelli Pending
Best Editing Marco Spoletini Pending
Best Sound Maricetta Lombardo, Daniela Bassani, Mirko Perri, Gianni Pallotto Pending
Best Costumes Stefano Ciammitti Pending
Best Visual Effects Laurent Creusot, Massimo Cipollina Pending
Best Make-up Dalia Colli, Roberta Martorina Pending
Best Hairstyling Stefano Ciammitti, Dalia Colli Pending
David Youth Award Io capitano Pending
European Film Awards 9 December 2023 Best Film Nominated [30]
Best Director Matteo Garrone Nominated
Ghent International Film Festival 21 October 2023 Best Film Io capitano Nominated [31]
Golden Globe Awards 7 January 2024 Best Foreign Language Film Nominated [32]
Palm Springs International Film Festival 15 January 2024 Best Foreign Language Film Nominated [33]
San Sebastián International Film Festival 30 September 2023 City of Donostia / San Sebastian Audience Award for Best European Film Won [34]
Satellite Awards 18 February 2024 Best Foreign Language Film Nominated [35]
Venice Film Festival 9 September 2023 Golden Lion Nominated [36]
[37]
CICT - UNESCO Enrico Fulchignoni Award Won
Civitas Award Won
Edipo Re Award Won
FEDIC Award Won
Francesco Pasinetti Award Won
ImpACT Award Won
Lanterna Magica Award Won
Leoncino d'Oro Award Won
Silver Lion for Best Director Matteo Garrone Won
Marcello Mastroianni Award Seydou Sarr Won
La Pellicola d'Oro Award - Best Production Director Claudia Cravotta Won
Premio Soundtrack Stars Award - Best Soundtrack Andrea Farri Won

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Io Capitano". La Biennale di Venezia. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Io Capitano (2023)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b Grater, Tom (21 March 2022). "UK Comedy 'Seize Them!' Unveils Cast; Matteo Garrone's 'Io Capitano' Underway; Rasika Dugal Wraps UK Shoot – Global Briefs". Deadline. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Venezia 80, i premi: Premio della regia a Garrone per Io Capitano". Agenzia ANSA (in Italian). 9 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  5. ^ a b Roxborough, Scott (3 April 2024). "Paola Cortellesi's 'There's Still Tomorrow' Leads Italy's Donatello Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  6. ^ a b Vivarelli, Nick (26 July 2023). "Matteo Garrone's Venice-Bound 'Io Capitano' Depicts Odyssey of African Migrants to Europe 'From Their Point of View,' Director Says (EXCLUSIVE CLIP)". Variety. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  7. ^ "'Io capitano', al via le riprese del nuovo film di Matteo Garrone". Sky TG24 (in Italian). 21 March 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  8. ^ Io capitano film poster
  9. ^ Sardelli, Monica (8 September 2023). "A 'Io Capitano' di Matteo Garrone il Leoncino d'Oro di Venezia 80". Direzione generale Cinema e audiovisivo (in Italian). Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  10. ^ Alò, Francesco (30 August 2023). "Festival Venezia, i film italiani in gara: dai titoli ai budget e i registi". Il Messaggero (in Italian). Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  11. ^ Locatelli, Silvia (6 September 2023). "Seydou Sarr e Moustapha Fall, due belle scoperte protagonisti di Io, capitano di Garrone". Elle (in Italian). Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  12. ^ D'Amore, Eleonora (12 February 2022). "Matteo Garrone sul set per il nuovo film "Io, Capitano", girerà per la prima volta fuori dall'Italia". Fanpage.it (in Italian). Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  13. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (25 July 2023). "Venice Film Festival Lineup: Mann, Lanthimos, Fincher, DuVernay, Cooper, Besson, Coppola, Hamaguchi In Competition; Polanski, Allen, Anderson, Linklater Out Of Competition – Full List". Deadline. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Le film "Io Capitano" de Matteo Garrone, évoquant le drame des migrants africains, choisi pour représenter l'Italie aux Oscars". Franceinfo (in French). 21 September 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  15. ^ "IO CAPITANO – paradisofilms". paradisofilms.be. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  16. ^ Ntim, Zac; Wiseman, Andreas (2 January 2024). "Cohen Media Group Sets Release Date For Italy's Oscar Submission 'Io Capitano'". Deadline. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  17. ^ Ntim, Zac; Wiseman, Andreas (15 September 2023). "Watch Video Of Pope Francis Moved By Special Screening Of Immigrant Story & Venice Winner 'Io Capitano'". Deadline. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  18. ^ Glatz, Carol (15 September 2023). "Pope meets award-winning actor, director of film on migrants". Catholic Review. Catholic News Service. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  19. ^ Attanasio, Luca (11 September 2023). "Matteo Garrone: "Non si può più accettare che si rischi la vita per emigrare"". Domani (in Italian). Archived from the original on 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  20. ^ "Io Capitano". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  21. ^ "Io Capitano". Metacritic. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  22. ^ Lodge, Guy (6 September 2023). "'Me Captain' Review: Matteo Garrone's Migrant Epic Feels Like a Complete Odyssey Even Before Reaching the Shore". Variety. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  23. ^ Felperin, Leslie (7 September 2023). "'Io Capitano' Review: Tragedy and Grace Are Marbled Together in Matteo Garrone's Moving Migration Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  24. ^ Wise, Damon (6 September 2023). "'Io Capitano' Review: A Gritty, Heartbreaking Study Of Migrant Dreams From Italy's Matteo Garrone – Venice Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  25. ^ "Io Capitano: a harrowing yet hopeful migration odyssey". The Telegraph. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  26. ^ Pasquini, Mattia (6 September 2023). "Io Capitano, la recensione del viaggio della speranza di Matteo Garrone". Ciak (in Italian). Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  27. ^ Turrini, Davide (6 September 2023). "Festival di Venezia, Matteo Garrone vuol vincere il Leone d'Oro. Io Capitano è un film potentissimo". Il Fatto Quotidiano (in Italian). Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  28. ^ Mereghetti, Paolo (9 July 2023). "Le pagelle del Mereghetti: Io capitano, l'odissea africana di Garrone trasfigura la tragedia in favola (voto 7 e 1/2)". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  29. ^ Gonzalez, Shivani (23 January 2024). "Oscar Nominees 2024: See the Full List". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  30. ^ Roxborough, Scott (7 November 2023). "Oscar Contenders 'Zone of Interest,' 'Io Capitano,' 'Fallen Leaves' Among 2023 European Film Award Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  31. ^ Aerts, Ruben (21 September 2023). "Film Fest Gent verwelkomt 25 unieke kortfilms, Fien Troch en 'Poor things'". De Standaard (in Dutch). Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  32. ^ Hipes, Patrick; Andreeva, Nellie (11 December 2023). "Golden Globe Nominations: 'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer' Top Movie List; 'Succession' Leads Way In TV". Deadline. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  33. ^ Verhoeven, Beatrice (16 November 2023). "Emma Stone to Receive Desert Palm Achievement Actress Award at Palm Springs International Film Fest". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  34. ^ "La película de Bayona 'La sociedad de la nieve' gana el Premio del Público del Zinemaldia". Noticias de Navarra. 30 September 2023.
  35. ^ Anderson, Erik (18 December 2023). "International Press Academy Satellite Awards Nominations: 'Oppenheimer', 'Succession' Lead". AwardsWatch. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  36. ^ Gularte, Alejandra (9 September 2023). "Poor Thing, Yorgos Lanthimos Wins Golden Lion at the Venice". Vulture. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  37. ^ "Venezia 80 Competition". La Biennale di Venezia. Retrieved 12 August 2023.

External links[edit]

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