Dakar, Senegal. Resilient teenager Seydou (astonishing newcomer Seydou Sarr) and his inseparable cousin Moussa (Moustapha Fall) reach the heartbreaking decision to leave their family one night in search of a better life in Italy.
Relinquishing all of their savings to fund their vast journey, the duo embark on a dangerous voyage through the Sahara desert, plagued by the constant threats of robbery, being left stranded and imprisonment.
Risking their lives as young refugees in the hope of a bright future in Europe, their sprawling quest is a stunning testament to the enduring, unwavering spirit and the power of human perseverance.
A magical realist masterpiece which gives a vital voice to the devastating experience of migrants the world over, this stunningly photographed Homeric drama is a coming-of-age drama with profound emotional resonance. Fronted by an incandescent breakout performance by young actor Seydou Sarr, this latest film by critically lauded Italian director Matteo Garrone (Tale of Tales, Dogman) garnered the filmmaker the coveted Silver Lion at Venice Film Festival – whilst Sarr was awarded with the Marcello Mastroianni rising star award for his extraordinary work.