Anywhere, Anytime | TIFF 2024 | Review by: Stefano Bove

 

Directed by Milad Tangshir, Anywhere Anytime follows an undocumented, Senegalese immigrant named Issa who is living in Turin.

In the bustling city of Turin, Issa is battling all elements that want him out of their town. He needs to hide from police in order to not get caught as a undocumented immigrant and he is constantly in defence mode in order to protect himself from thieves and racist Italians. After getting let go from his job at the food market, he is in desperate need of a new job. His friend Mario helps him buy a cheap bicycle in order to process food deliveries and he also generously gives him his cell phone to allow him to accept orders under his old account. The story follows his food delivering journey as he does everything possible to stay out of trouble but that doesn’t always go according to plan.

The pacing of the film is exceptionally well done as it easily transitions from fast paced, city travel to much slower intimate conversations. My immediate thought was that he was going to get caught delivering orders under a different person's account but the film takes him on an uphill battle I was not expecting. Issa is a delicate and kindhearted young man who is just trying to work hard in order to support his mother and family back home. Despite the many obstacles he has faced, he keeps pushing forward. Eventually Issa's bike gets stolen but he does not give up to get it back. The bike was his only lifeline left in order to make some income and he stops at nothing to get it back. 

The film tackles many themes of racism, immigration, karma and social morality as Issa tries to operate under the radar but simultaneously fit in to Italian culture. Doing the right thing sometimes takes more effort than trying to lie, cheat and steal. Issa is desperately trying to hang on to his morality while the city of Turin seems to be pushing him down. 

3.5/5

Review by: Stefano Bove