No man is the same. Everyone has something unique, unique and irreplaceable. Because it seems that God is bored with creating infinite copies. God, once more, decided to put us, to live under the same sky, but he did not give us the same horizon. For some it is full of rosy sunsets and for others vast deserts and stormy seas.
16-year-old Seydou and Moussa, his cousin, in “I, Captain”, live a quiet, poor and humble life in a Senegalese village. Their ambitions go beyond their current circumstances, envisioning a life in Europe, which they have idealized in their minds and where they believe endless opportunities await them, including Seydoux’s dream of pursuing a music career. Despite their poverty, in their lives so far they find solace in the family comfort, peace and security provided by their village and the small provincial society of their country. Their youthful naivety, longing for an imaginative European life and youthful anxieties overshadow their measured reality and push them to take the step into the unknown.
Determined to pursue their dreams, the two dreamy teenagers embark from Senegal on a difficult, tumultuous, risky journey to the Promised Land, Europe, risking everything to realize their ambitions. However, what begins as a hopeful journey fueled by faith soon turns into a harrowing Odyssey, questioning their very humanity as they face insurmountable trials and hardships that can hardly be faced by a human being, much less two teenagers. two children who never strayed from the warm embrace of the family and the protection of the poor but welcoming small society of their village. In the midst of their efforts, struggles and hardships, they undergo a profound transformation, ultimately questioning whether this odyssey will ever lead them to their desired destination.
-I’m afraid I won’t see my mom once more, I want to see her to apologize, whispers our hero, regretting not listening to her pleas to stay with her so they can breathe the same air, as she told him.
“I, Captain” is an exploration of the harrowing journey of two young Senegalese dreamers in their quest to reach Europe. Set once morest the backdrop of contemporary immigration issues, the film follows the intertwined fates of two teenagers who embark on a perilous journey across land and sea. Driven by their hopes for a better life and lured by the promise of opportunity in Europe, they leave behind everything they know and love, defying unimaginable dangers that lie in their path.
As their journey unfolds, a journey of life and death, we are confronted with the harsh reality of the migrant experience, from the exploitation and violence they face to the profound sense of displacement and loss. Through their eyes, we witness the desperation, the pain but also the resilience of those who risk everything for a chance, for a better future, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of uncertainty and hopelessness set up around them by the inhumans smugglers, the paramilitary groups in the vast expanses of the Black Continent but also the official authorities of the states that meet the young children and other desperate migrants in their titanic effort.
The film’s narrative is a powerful testament to the human spirit, capturing both the profound moments of hope and overwhelming despair that characterize the migrants’ anguished endeavour. Through the authentic portrayal of the characters’ struggles and sacrifices, I, Captain peels off a poignant reflection on the universal themes of longing, belonging and the pursuit of dreams, and above all, it sets before us the whole invincible and unsolvable problem of immigration. .
Matteo Garrone’s film (“Gomorrah”, “Dogman”) was nominated for an Oscar for Best International Film, while it won two awards at the 80th Venice Film Festival, the Silver Lion for director and the Marcello Mastrogianni award for best emerging actor from the young Seydoux Sar.
Matteo Garrone writes regarding the things that inspired him and the way he handled them: “Before making the film, I knew from the media regarding the extremes that migrants go through on these journeys, but through images of floating corpses, sunken ships and of people screaming for help, and through the tragic accounts of victims and survivors. I was used to seeing numbers and not people. But when I visited a juvenile center in Catania, and heard the story of a young 15-year-old African, I realized that I wanted my camera to focus on all of this through a perspective that would be exactly the opposite of that of the media, that is, the perspective of these people . To achieve this I built a relationship of cooperation and trust with children who lived this horrific experience and who guided me in the conception of this film. For a long time I doubted whether I had the right to tell this story, but I tell their own story without hesitation. The key was to be as authentic as possible, avoiding any didacticism, leaving only a subtle message. The challenge for all of us was to remain invisible so that the story unfolded on its own, as if it had no narrator.”
At its core, the film is a stark reminder of the human pain of migration, shedding light on the complex web of socio-political factors that drive people to leave their homes in search of a better life. Through its relentless depiction of the characters’ journey, I, Captain challenges us to confront our own assumptions and prejudices, cultivating empathy and understanding for those on the margins of society. With its masterful direction, powerful performances and themes that play with the human mind, I, Captain, is a testament to the enduring power of cinema to illuminate the human condition and provoke meaningful dialogue regarding the pressing issues of our time.
Garrone’s direction depicts the raw emotions of fear, uncertainty and despair, immersing us in the turbulent world of the characters. Central to the film’s success are the excellent performances of the cast, especially the two leads who play the teenage immigrants with conviction, authenticity and depth. The author’s decision to focus on the personal struggles, defeats and triumphs of the protagonists adds a personal touch, embedded in the larger narrative of immigration. Delving, with visually compelling scenes, into the individual hopes, fears and aspirations of the two children, the film transcends political and didactic rhetoric to highlight the universal themes of the power of dreams, compassion and deep hope for a better life.
The cinematography, mixing magical realism and documentary clarity, captures the vastness and beauty of the desert and the Mediterranean, while emphasizing their unforgiving nature. The contrast between the breathtaking landscapes and the harsh reality of life at sea serves as a powerful metaphor for the protagonists’ journey, highlighting the precarious balance between hope and despair.
Thematically, I, Captain raises important questions regarding the complexities of immigration and the human cost of pursuing dreams in the face of adversity. Garrone deftly navigates these themes with sensitivity and nuance, avoiding clichés and stereotypes, to offer a discolored portrayal of the harrowing immigrant experience.
Not many inhabitants of this barren planet can reconcile themselves to the idea that a person who has a different skin color and thinks somewhat differently can be capable, intelligent, sensitive and talented. Alas, only those who believe in what we believe, have the same skin color and agree with us, only they are worthy of respect, care and protection…
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