Cohen Media Group revealed the official trailer for “Io Capitano” (Me Captain) the Oscar-nominated award-winning Italian drama follows two Senegalese teenagers as they leave their hometown Dakar to reach Italy and escape poverty.
Starring in the film are Seydou Sarr, Moustapha Fall, and Issaka Sawadogo along with Issaka Sawagodo, Hichem Yacoubi, Doodou Sagna, Khady Sy, Bamar Kane along with Cheick Oumar Diaw.
Io Capitano was nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards and Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language at the 81st Golden Globe Awards.
Release Date
Directed by Matteo Garrone, Io Capitano world premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Lion for Best Director for Garrone and the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Actor for Seydou Sarr; and opens in theaters on February 23, 2024. See theatrical release information below.
Synopsis
In this acclaimed film which won top directing and acting prizes at the Venice Film Festival, writer-director Garrone presents a “reverse shot” of the immigration experience while unfurling an epic, cinematographically magnificent odyssey from West Africa to Italy. The story is told through the mind’s eye and experiences of two Senegalese teenagers living in Dakar who yearn for a brighter future in Europe. Yet between their dreams and reality lies a treacherous journey through a labyrinth of checkpoints, the scorched Saharan desert, a fetid North African prison and the vast waters of the Mediterranean where thousands have died packed inside vessels barely fit for passage.
Reviews
Describing the film as ‘A road movie to be reckoned with‘ in their review, The Hollywood Reporter wrote, “Indelibly played by non-professional Seydou Sarr, offering a remarkably mature performance, he makes his way with his cousin (Moustapha Fall) from their home in West Africa across thousands of miles on a quest to reach Europe. Taking viewers with him every step of the way, it’s a journey that inevitably burns away Seydou’s childish innocence. Garrone, however, almost never puts a foot wrong with this painstakingly composed work, an adventure peppered by moments of nauseating horror but also ravishing beauty and grace.”
Deadline review also raved about the film, including the casting, writing, “Despite its technical elegance — and the film is near flawless in that respect — the biggest achievement in Garrone’s film is its casting. Using non-professionals found in an open call, it is authentic at every step of its audacious journey. Star of the show, however, is newcomer Starr, who plays the lead and carries the whole movie on his shoulders like a seasoned pro, nailing the entire film in a final, heart-breaking close-up that depicts a seething confluence of contradictory emotions in a way there just isn’t a word for. If there is more profound moment at this festival, or even this year, I’d like to see it.”
Official Trailer
Watch the official trailer for Io Capitano
Theatrical Dates
Opens February 23
New York, NY // Quad Cinemas
Los Angeles, LA // Landmark Theatres Sunset 5
Boston, MA // Landmark Kendall Square
Phoenix, AZ // Harkins Shea Cinemas 14
Washington, DC // Landmark E Street Cinema and Bethesda Row
Fairfax, VA // Angelika Film Center Mosaic
San Francisco, CA // Landmark Opera Plaza; Orinda Theater
Atlanta, GA // Midtown Arts 8
Chicago, IL // Landmark Century Centre Cinema
Philadelphia, PA // PFS Bourse Theater
Portland, OR // Living Room 6
Opens March 1
Dallas, TX // Angelica Film Center & Cafe
Plano, TX // Angelica Film Center & Cafe
San Diego, CA // Angelica Film Center Carmel; Town Square All Stadium
Columbus, OH // Gateway Film Center 8
Opens March 8
Sacramento, CA // Tower Theatre
Honolulu, HI // Kahala Theatres 8
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN // MSP Film at the Main