Senegalese Migrant’s Story Sparks Oscar Recognition
Mamadou Kouassi, a cultural mediator, vividly shares his profound experience collaborating with Italian director Matteo Garrone in crafting the Oscar-nominated film “Io Capitano.” This cinematic journey unfolds against the backdrop of Kouassi’s real-life odyssey, spanning the unforgiving terrains of African deserts, illegal prisons, and perilous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea aboard smugglers’ vessels. These raw and authentic encounters serve as the bedrock for the film’s narrative, portraying the grim realities of migration.
Kouassi reflects on Garrone’s unwavering commitment to capturing the harsh truths of the migrant experience, even when faced with the challenging decision of omitting some of the most heart-wrenching moments to ensure broader accessibility. “We saw many people dying in the desert, women, children,” Kouassi reveals. “And even in the film, there are some parts that have been removed, women that have been violated. It was harder to put it in; Matteo removed it because we want the film to reach a wider audience.”
“Io Capitano” unfolds the arduous journey of two Senegalese teenagers navigating the treacherous migrant route from the Niger desert to Libya and eventually boarding a smugglers’ boat bound for Europe. One of the boys is coerced into “captaining” the vessel, leveraging a legal loophole that exempts minors from imprisonment in Italy.
Seydou Sarr, an actor in the film, expresses gratitude to Garrone for illuminating the harsh realities faced by migrants. “I want to thank Matteo Garrone for making this movie because it is important for us, it is important for us in Africa and all that,” he emphasizes. “Matteo made this movie to let you see what happens, in fact, the reality, what we suffer to come to Europe.”
Moustapha Fall, another actor, aspires that the film will effectively convey the pain and aspirations of migrants. “I hope that they will know the – how can I say – the pain,” Fall articulates. “It is not about wanting to travel; it is just like a dream because every single person has a dream to travel, to discover another world.”
Kouassi’s perilous journey, marked by danger and exploitation, serves as a poignant reminder of the urgency to address the root causes of migration and underscores the paramount need for compassion and understanding towards those seeking a better life.
Garrone’s film, beyond offering a mere glimpse into the migrant experience, fearlessly confronts the grim realities often overshadowed by mainstream narratives, providing a platform for authentic voices to be heard and understood.
