Cohen Media Group Sets Release Date For Italy’s Oscar Submission ‘Io Capitano’

Zac Ntim and Andreas Wiseman
·2-min read

EXCLUSIVE: Cohen Media Group has set Italian filmmaker Matteo Garrone’s latest pic, Io Capitano, for a nationwide release.

The film — which has been shortlisted as Italy’s submission for the Best International Feature Oscar — will roll out nationwide on February 23.

More from Deadline

An Italy-Belgium-France co-production, the timely drama tells the story of the adventurous journey of Seydou and Moussa, two young men who leave Dakar to make their way to Europe. Synopsis reads: Io Capitano is a contemporary Odyssey through the dangers of the desert, the horrors of the detention centers in Libya, and the perils of the sea.

The film world premiered to critical acclaim in Competition in Venice, winning Best Director for Garrone, Best Young Star for co-star Seydou Sarr, and Best Production Director for Claudia Cravotta. The pic is the first film Garrone — a two-time Cannes jury prize winner — screened in competition at Venice.

The Deadline review out of Venice describes the film as “a blisteringly topical drama” that could be Garrone’s “best” film to date in a filmography that also includes Gomorrah, Tale of Tales, and Dogman.

“Matteo Garrone’s powerful and timely film pulls at the heartstrings as a powerful exploration of human resilience. We’re thrilled to be able to share Io Capitano with audiences nationwide,” said Justin DiPietro, Cohen Media Group’s Head of Distribution.

The film was released in Italian cinemas via 01 Distribution on September 7 on 200 screens and came amid a fierce debate in Italy over government policy surrounding refugees and illegal immigration. The film was promptly expanded to 350 screens following a lucrative opening with takings over $1.2 million.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest stories