Io Capitano

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1:25

Io Capitano

2024

2h 2m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

112 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

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.

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Critics Consensus

A journey toward hope, Io Capitano perambulates through the ravishing Saharan landscape encountering the most sublime and debased corners of humanity.

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Jason Anderson

Sight & Sound

Dec 31

The film is also rescued from its more precious and sentimental excesses by the power and complexity of Sarr’s central performance.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

04/07/2024

4/5

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).

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Danny Leigh

Financial Times

04/04/2024

4/5

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

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Clotilde Chinnici

Movie Marker

07/27/2025

4/5

Overall, it feels like the film plays it too safe to please its mostly Western audience who can sit comfortably in their cinemas and watch Io Capitano without having to feel guilty about the actions of their own countries.

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Samantha Schuster

Cinéfilo Serial

07/18/2025

3.5/5

A story full of tension and emotion, which strikes a great balance between depicting human misery and the bright side of life. Strong performances from young non-professionals and a well-executed production round out this film. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Anna Hoang

Boston Hassle

07/14/2025

3/5

The lens of an Italian director and co-writer this story is wont for suspicion, but the endeavors in tailoring this story to the African immigrant experience is admirable.

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Alessandro

04/01/2024

An epic journey of incredible strength, a necessary tale for our time

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lawrence m

03/04/2024

Extremely poignant and superbly acted.

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Roy J

02/29/2024

They come here illegally because they don't have a legal way. The illegal way is harder and risky, nobody wants to do this, but they have no choice. Beautiful movie, love the ending.

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Film Buff

02/25/2024

Utery harrowing and heartbreaking story of the trials and tribulations of migration from Africa to Europe.

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Nadir

02/24/2024

Very heart breaking to see such a treacherous journey.

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Brighton N

@RT09904023 May 30

Io Capitano is ethereal, it's tragic, it's hopeful, and it's simply perfect. While its immense emotional weight makes it hard to rewatch, it is one of my favorite films of all time because it tells such a powerful, moving story about immigration, true friendship, and so much more. It's a film rooted in so many different languages and cultures, and is so beautiful in how it depicts even the most broken of people and societies. This film shows the ups and downs of the human experience through incredible acting, and while it's so hard to watch, it's so worth the experience it holds. Every single person on Earth deserves a chance to watch this movie; it's that good. Check out my more in-depth review at The Reel Ranker by searching "Io Capitano" ;)

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Io Capitano: Trailer 1

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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.

Director: Matteo Garrone
Producer: Paolo Del Brocco, Matteo Garrone
Screenwriter: Matteo Garrone, Massimo Gaudioso, Massimo Ceccherini, Andrea Tagliaferri
Distributor: Cohen Media Group
Production Co: Archimede, RAI Cinema, Pathé Films, Tarantula
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Wolof
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 23, 2024, Limited
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)