Italy, France, USA, Germany, Qatar, 2015, 107’
directed by: Jonas Carpignano
written by: Jonas Carpignano
cast: Koudous Seihon, Alassane Sy, Pio Amato, Francesco Papasergio
cinematography: Wyatt Garfield
edited by: Sanabel Cherqaoui, Affonso Gonçalves, Nico Leunen
producers: Jon Coplon, Christoph Daniel, Marc Schmidheiny, Gwyn Sannia, Jason Michael Berman, Chris Columbus, Andrew Kortschak, John Lesher, Ryan Lough, Justin Nappi, Alain Peyrollaz, Victor Shapiro, Ryan Zacarias
production: Good Films, DCM Productions, Good Lap Production, Le Grisbi Productions, Maiden Voyage Pictures, Audax Films, Court 13 Pictures, End Cue Productions, Nomadic Independence Pictures, Sunset Junction Entertainment, TideRock Media, Treehouse Pictures
Cannes FF 2015 – International Critics' Week; Munich FF 2015 – One Future Prize – Honorable Mention
In order to provide for his family, Ayiva leaves his home in Burkina Faso. Teaming up with his friend Abas and using smugglers' assistance, he sets out on an arduous journey to Europe. After having managed to get out of a number of tight spots – including robbers, a storm and arrest – the two friends finally reach Italy. But the life awaiting them there is a tough one and full of exploitation. While the staunch Ayiva adapts to the new situation, Abas has problems accepting the unfairness of the life there and stirs tensions in the local community. Determined to succeed, Ayiva tries to overcome the troubles, but there is a price he has to pay. The actors' complex performance and the observational, almost documentary approach to filmmaking blend into an intensely emotional depiction of the very topical social turmoil of our time. Benh Zeitlin, the director of Beasts Of The Southern Wild, has composed the subtle original score together with composer Dan Romer.
Born in 1984, Jonas Carpignano, has spent his life between US and Italy. His films have been screened at prestigious festivals around the world, including Cannes, Venice and SXSW. His short film A Chjána won the Controcampo Award in Venice, while his latest short A Ciambra won the Discovery Prize at the International Critics' Week in Cannes. Mediterranea is his debut feature.
