(Rome) The Italian National Association of Cinematographic Industries (ANICA) chose Matteo Garrone’s film on Wednesday evening Io Capitano to try to participate in the race for the Oscars.
In this thread the author of Gomorrah relates the moving and chilling epic of two young Senegalese cousins who decide to leave Dakar to try their luck in Europe. A perilous journey marked by grueling marches across the Sahara, torture in Libyan jails and Europe’s indifference to their plight.
This film was chosen “for having embodied with great strength and cinematic mastery the universal desire to seek freedom and happiness,” explained ANICA.
Io Capitano was also screened at the last Mostra, the Venice film festival.
“We are very proud to be able to represent Italy,” responded Mr. Garrone, quoted by the AGI agency, adding that he hoped that his film “will touch the hearts of the American public.”
It is the Academy of the Oscars which selects the five films in competition for the Oscar for best international film among those submitted by foreign countries.