Matteo Garrone's Io Capitano begins production in Senegal

Renowned Italian director Matteo Garrone's (Gomorra, Dogman, Pinocchio) new film Io Capitano has begun principal photography in Dakar, Senegal. 

The coming-of-age drama, written by Garrone, Massimo Gaudioso, Massimo Ceccherini and Andrea Tagliaferriall, is inspired by a true story of two young men who leave Dakar for Europe on an odyssey through the dangers of the desert, the perils of the sea and the ambiguities of the human soul.

Io Capitano is being set up as an Italian-Belgian co-production between Archimede, Rai Cinema, Tarantula Film and the participation of Pathé. 

Additional filming on Io Capitano will also take place in Morocco and Italy for a total of 13 weeks.

The main cast includes newcomers Seydou Sarr and Moustapha Fall.

Currently, there are no tax incentives on offer for foreign projects shooting in Senegal, the country has previously hosted Atlantics (2019).