If you live or travel somewhere in the Mediterranean, you will probably have stumbled upon some African selling refreshments or any kind of thing actually, on the beach. Probably, though, you will not question how this individual has gotten there or why. Iranian Milad Tangshir has come up with a movie that gives an answer to this rarely asked question, through an Italian film that seems to be heavily inspired by De Sica’s “Bicycle Thieves”.
Anywhere Anytime is screening at Thessaloniki International Film Festival
Issa is a young Senegalese undocumented immigrant trying to survive as best he can in Turin, Italy. When he’s fired by his previous employer in the open market for fear of being fined by the police, Issa’s friend helps him get started working as a food-delivery rider for the company “Anywhere Anytime.” This new gig gives him a sense of security and freedom, riding his bike around the city, and controlling his destiny. It also allows him to find the courage to start talking to a girl he likes in the bunker he is staying in on the outskirts of the city. But his newly gained sense of stability quickly collapses when, during a drop-off, the bicycle he’s just spent all of his money on is stolen. Issa then embarks on a desperate odyssey through the streets of the city to find his bike.
Although set as a road movie in essence, much of which is presented through the eyes of a running Issa, “Anywhere Anytime” seems to have a different purpose than just showing the adventures of its protagonist. Instead, Milad Tangshir implements him in order to highlight the lives of immigrants in Italy, and essentially all over southern Europe. The way they have to always look for illegal jobs, essentially being uninsured and under the constant fear of being laid off, is the first aspect showcased, but Tangshir does not stop there. The almost constant lack of money and the burden of having to send some back to their families, the fact that every little possession counts, the impossible living conditions inside containers, the odd jobs and the racism they have to face are all explored here, in a rather thorough portrait of this type of living.
At the same time, though, and despite the constant, neverending hardships Issa is facing, Tangshir does not allow the movie to turn into a tear-jerker, particularly by retaining a sense of hope at all times. A friend who is willing to sacrifice, a girl who seems to like him, the new jobs he always manages to get are the main sources of this approach, which keep the film entertaining while showing this aspect of the particular life at the same time.
Considering that the movie is completely based on the protagonist, who is virtually in every shot, Ibrahima Sambou‘s performance is definitely a make or break one. Thankfully, the young man is excellent throughout, essentially dictating the pace of the film with his speed and movement, while being quite convincing in all the difficult scenes, including the ones featuring various types of violence. The moments he loses his temper and the one where he is begging are the apogee of an overall impressive effort.
Giuseppe Maio’s cinematography focuses on realism, in an approach that occasionally points towards the documentary, without any particular exaltations, maybe with the exception of some of the close ups on the protagonist. Enrico Giovannone’s editing results in a pace that ranges from fast to faster, although some moments of ‘calmness’ do exist, particularly when Issa is interacting with his friends, in an overall quite fitting approach. Lastly, at 82 minutes, the movie does not overextend its welcome in any way.
“Anywhere Anytime” is a ‘little gem’ of a film, a title that both entertains and informs, and an overall quite competent effort with no significant issues whatsoever.
