At The Movies: Io Capitano
This movie was nominated for Best International Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards – and it is easy to see why! It follows the harrowing journey of two young Senegalese teenagers in their quest to achieve their dream.
Sixteen year-old Seydou and his cousin Moussa (I assume the same age) have been working secretly for six months in order to save enough money to move to Europe and make their fortune as musicians. They are warned of the dangers and told, in no uncertain way, to don’t go – stay in Dakar and support their families. Seydou is scared by the warnings but Moussa keeps telling him to ignore it and picture the fame they will achieve.
The day comes and they sneak out of their respective homes for the bus ride to start their adventure. They soon realise that this journey is going to be a lot more expensive than they first anticipated, commencing with exorbitant prices for fake passports. They manage to score a ride across the Sahara Desert, also at ridiculous prices. This is done at breakneck speed and they stop for nothing, so hang on very tight! Eventually they stop in the middle of nowhere and have to walk, following a guide who also stops for nothing and nobody. In searing heat there are bound to be some who will not make it.
When they reach the Libyan border they are confronted by police who steal all their money – if you try and hide it then you go to prison. The cousins are separated, and those who handed over their money voluntarily are taken to a facility where they are told to call someone back home and get more money sent – or face torture! Seemingly no way out, a battered Seydou and another prisoner eventually manage to get some work.
Throughout the movie these teenagers are subjected to extortion, bribery, violence, corruption and lies – and that’s even before they have to make the extensive journey across the Mediterranean Sea to get to their destination in Italy. It is an epic story and certainly puts into perspective what the boat people have to endure to escape their lives and endeavour to start a new one. I highly recommend Io Capitano both as a great drama and as an education of how some people are forced to live their lives.
Movie Review by John Glennie
Screening at Palace Cinemas and Wallis Mitcham
Rating: MA 15+
Runtime: 122 minutes
