Io Capitano

This is a film that, for all its brutal horrors, keeps a kernel of hope and faith in the inherent decency of humankind (or some of it at least).

The film makes brilliant if often harrowing cinema. But Garrone’s boldest strokes are also subtle.

Sarr and Fall are wonderful young actors and excel in displaying joy and fear, presenting a warming and believable brotherly dynamic.

This is a movie with passion and sweep, although I was less sure about the fantasy-reverie sequences.

Io Capitano is a deeply moving film that takes us into a world utterly removed from our own.

There have been other films about the perils of illegal immigration, but few have struck me with the force of Matteo Garrone’s Io Capitano.

The film combines elements of The Swimmers and Slumdog Millionaire, stories of survival and cleverness, for an affirming experience that transcends its miserable setup and ensuing events.

Its insistence on portraying the bleakness of contemporary migration may border on excessive, but it certainly captures the humanity of its subject through its organic character arcs and strong performances.

The cinematography is exceptional, capturing the beauty of African and Italian landscapes and combining magical realism effects that add an additional layer to the realistic drama of the migration experience. [Full review in Spanish]

The inexperienced thespian kid leads give commanding performances.