#3 - MEDITERRANEA by Jonas Carpignano (Italy, France, Germany, USA, Qatar)
JONAS CARPIGNANO, in his feature debut, turns his attention to the always hot topic of immigration. And he does so by telling the story of two African men, who set off on the excruciating journey to Italy in the hope for a better life, only to find that things are not as they hoped they would be, as the are encountered with constant struggles due to the hostile environment of the small town in Rosarno in which the film is set.
It is no coincidence that the film is set in Rosarno in Calabria, Southern Italy, as this was the setting of a heated revolt in 2010, a revolt that is represented in the culmination of the film in its finale. It is also the perfect starting point for a powerful portrayal of immigration, which opts for authenticity and never drastically picks sides but rather encourages debates due to its impactful nature.
On a cinematic standpoint, MEDITERRANEA makes use of very few cinematic cliches, beginning with its stripped down melodrama, in favour of a more documentary like approach. But there is also a constant storyline that progresses and makes the film seem more cohesive, as well as keep the viewer interested in its developments. On top of that, the film also creates a subtle and yet build up of emotions and psychology that erupts then in the breathtaking conclusion.