Italy chooses «Io Capitano» with Seydou Sarr for the Oscars
The Italian National Association of Film Industries (ANICA) has chosen Matteo Garrone’s film «Io Capitano» on Wednesday night to try to participate in the race for the Oscars.
In this film, the author of «Gomorra» tells 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 distress.
This film was chosen «for having embodied with great strength and cinematographic mastery the universal desire to seek freedom and happiness» explained ANICA.
«Io Capitano»was also screened at the last Venice Film Festival.
«We are very proud to be able to represent Italy» said Mr. Garrone, quoted by the AGI agency, adding that he hopes his film «will touch the heart of the American public».
Italy is still at the forefront in the best international feature film race, having won the Oscar in this category, previously known as Best Foreign Language Film, 11 times, although the last Italian victory came a decade ago, The Great Beauty of Paolo Sorrentino in 2013.
Sorrentino’s Hand of God, nominated in 2022, was Italy’s last name at the Oscars. Garrone was nominated twice for a BAFTA – Gomorrah in 2009 and Dogman in 2019 – but has not yet won an Oscar.
The submission deadline for the Best International Film category is October 2. The Academy of Film Arts and Sciences will announce the shortlisted films for the 2024 Oscars on 21 December.
The five nominees in the category will be announced on January 23. The 95th Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 10.
