SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2024 REVIEW! In this second installment of filmmaker Stéphane Grasso’s multimedia project, Migrant Sea: Casa Federica, we learn of the titular group home in Palermo, Sicily. This is where migrant teens are granted a place to live until they come of age. We are introduced to two of the current residents: Falilu Diallo and Mouctar Sall. Diallo is working his way through school and has mastered several languages, including English. Sall, conversely, can only speak Italian. Between these two friends, we learn of their trials and tribulations just to arrive in Sicily, let alone acculturate into Italian society.
From how he depicts it, Diallo traversed the entire stretch of the African continent to eventually board the same boat Sall was on. Diallo is very charming and will clearly go as far as he is able in this life. Sall seems more taciturn and less conversational. He seems to have a gift for cooking. Being an undocumented migrant is a hindrance in that regard. His road will be steeper and harder than his friends.
“…where migrant teens are granted a place to live until they come of age.”
Grasso shot Migrant Sea: Casa Federica on an omnidirectional VR camera. The experience of whirling the camera’s perspective for each cut scene in 360 degrees is incredibly trippy. Being a film, the captions have been framed so they always appear on a neutral surface, no matter which way you spin. I’m not sure I like this presentation. I am, however, certain there are technophiles who will exult in this new format.
Migrant Sea: Casa Federica is a very nice short that once again opens up audiences to new stories and experiences.
Migrant Sea: Casa Federica screened at the 2024 Slamdance Film Festival.
"…incredibly trippy."
[…] Car, Love and Work, The Accident (L’Incidente), Migrant Sea: Jenni, Migrant Sea: Fidéle, Migrant Sea: Casa Federica, Legend of El Cucuy, Slide, Sam’s […]