Taking on an almost Homer-like approach to narrate the odyssey of two young Senegalese boys who decide to leave behind the comforts and familiarities of their home and go through some of the present day's most hellish experiences in hopes of reaching the mythical land of Europe where dreams are fulfilled, Matteo Garrone's "Io Capitano" is a visual spectacle that's not for the faint of heart.
Based on testimonies of African migrants in Europe, the movie visualizes the brutality of humanity's darkest corners; where practices of kidnapping, torture, rape, and slavery are as normalized as one could think up. The only glimmers of hope are the moments of empathy that shine through the very few sane enough to not trade in their humanity in even the roughest of places. It's brutally devastating and for a subject matter so sensitive, never preachy.
The movie's greatest strength is its cast who play a key role in making the movie come across as authentic as could be. It is a gorgeously shot, perfectly directed movie that meets its lofty ambitions through its precision in vision and scope. It's one definitely worth recommending.
Based on testimonies of African migrants in Europe, the movie visualizes the brutality of humanity's darkest corners; where practices of kidnapping, torture, rape, and slavery are as normalized as one could think up. The only glimmers of hope are the moments of empathy that shine through the very few sane enough to not trade in their humanity in even the roughest of places. It's brutally devastating and for a subject matter so sensitive, never preachy.
The movie's greatest strength is its cast who play a key role in making the movie come across as authentic as could be. It is a gorgeously shot, perfectly directed movie that meets its lofty ambitions through its precision in vision and scope. It's one definitely worth recommending.