Directed by Matteo Garrone
Starring Seydou Sarr and Moustapha Fall

“For the love of money is the root of all evil”.

Readers, please excuse my preachy, scripture-quoting opening and do not believe for a moment that I’m some bible belt about to lay judgement as to why many characters in Io Capitano are headed straight to hell.

Irrespective of how much of the bible is or we believe to be true, there are no truer words relevant to this day spoken by it than those that reside in 1 Timothy 6:10. This non-religious movie, deservedly nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 2024 Academy Awards ®, is new testament to that.

Inspired by actual stories of migrants’ African routes to Europe, Io Capitano is a truly cinematic odyssey that represents these collective stories through the prisms of its two central characters. 16-year-old Seydou (an astonishing performance from Seydou Sarr) and his cousin Moussa (Moustapha Fall) have been secretly working to save funds and leave Dakar, Senegal to live abroad in Europe. Their motivation for leaving their families is simply to earn a decent income to support loved ones, which they aim to do by way of pursuing their music-driven dreams. Both young men are extremely naive and gullible, but the good-hearted Seydou is certainly more trepidatious about leaving than his more determined cousin, especially after receiving stern warnings against leaving. Nevertheless, what the television illustrates of life in Europe outshines everything anyone else has to say. So begins the daring, dangerous and unpredictable journey from West Africa to Italy.

One thing that took me by complete surprise is just how epic in scale this majestic movie is. It truly is anything but minor in presence, impact and in how far-reaching its story is.

After an engaging opening, an uplifting sense of adventure sets in as the boys begin their journey, even despite our awareness (and their lack) of the numerous dangers that must lie ahead. In fact, this is one of many strengths that Io Capitano possesses – the incredible agility to switch between being wonderfully uplifting and greatly unsettling without ever being uneven and always being profound, when and as it chooses to be. That is not an easy mix to execute, and Io Capitano absolutely nails it. Seydou and Moussa’s relationship as cousins is close and beautifully portrayed. Our insights into their aspirations and observations of their innocence connected me to them quite deeply and regularly filled me with a potent sense of dread each time they cross paths with corrupt characters they blindly trust who will do literally anything to make a dollar. All the while, this top-quality production boasts a mesmerising music score, magnificent cinematography of its sweeping locations, and even creatively injects a minor fantasy element to proceedings. 

I do need to make a couple of points concerning the conclusion of this film, which I promise do not reveal or elaborate on how far geographically its protagonists go. Initially, the ending felt abrupt and truncated. There are definitely certain details I cared to know more about than is delivered. Upon reflection, however, these finished details would have only applied comfort and certainty to what is an uncomfortable and very uncertain route for many.

One of the best films of the year. 

Io Capitano is showing in selected cinemas across Australia from March 28th.

Moviedoc thanks Rialto Distribution and Annette Smith: Ned & Co for providing a screener link to watch and review this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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