MEDITERRANEA

"If a movie as rich and understanding as Mediterranea suddenly appeared every time we read about a difficult issue in the paper, maybe all of the world's problems could be solved." – The Guardian

Timely and honest, Jonas Carpignano's feature debut is a compelling portrait of a tough, complex social reality. Expanded from his award-winning short film A Chjàna, and developed out of Benh Zeitlin's (Beasts of the Southern Wild, MIFF 2012) Court 13 collective, Mediterranea follows best friends Ayiva and Abas as they embark on a perilous journey from Burkina Faso to Europe in search of a better life. But once on Italian soil, they must endure racism, exploitation and profound vulnerability. Each man deals with the hardships they face differently, leading to an inevitable tension in their friendship.

Inspired by real events, including the director's own experiences and the 2010 Rosano race riots in southern Italy, Mediterranea balances its observational, documentary style with an empathetic focus to explore a pressing global issue. With music by Benh Zeitlin and Dan Romer, this is an empathetic film that "renders a global crisis in strikingly intimate terms" (Indiewire).