It's a Senegal-to-Italy refugee drama set in modern times from Dakar, Senegal, through Mali, Niger, and Libya to Sicily, Italy. It follows two 16-year-old cousins, Seydou (Seydou Sarr) and Moussa (Moustapha Fall), who have planned for six months to leave Senegal and to go Europe to find a better life as they see on television and to be able to help their financially fraught families. Initially, Moussa is the aggressive cousin, convincing Seydou to leave despite the fierce opposition of his mother (Khady Sy).
The film then follows their experiences on the journey as they encounter exploitative guides, corrupt police, and evil gangsters. Seydou and Moussa are separated for a time, but an older African man, Martin (Issaka Sawadogo), helps Seydou escape a dangerous situation. Eventually, Seydou becomes "The Captain" of the small, overloaded boat crossing the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy.
"Oi Capitano" is beautifully filmed. Some of the scenes in the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean are stunning. There are brief scenes of torture, but generally, the movie exudes the need for goodwill and cooperation. The story is told from the refugee perspective, but European filmmakers made the movie. So, a certain "feel good" tinge feels misplaced. It's a fine story; the script could have been sharper and extended some ambivalence into the European experience.
The film then follows their experiences on the journey as they encounter exploitative guides, corrupt police, and evil gangsters. Seydou and Moussa are separated for a time, but an older African man, Martin (Issaka Sawadogo), helps Seydou escape a dangerous situation. Eventually, Seydou becomes "The Captain" of the small, overloaded boat crossing the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy.
"Oi Capitano" is beautifully filmed. Some of the scenes in the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean are stunning. There are brief scenes of torture, but generally, the movie exudes the need for goodwill and cooperation. The story is told from the refugee perspective, but European filmmakers made the movie. So, a certain "feel good" tinge feels misplaced. It's a fine story; the script could have been sharper and extended some ambivalence into the European experience.