Like many of his Senegalese compatriots, fishing pirogue captain Baye Laye dreams of new horizons, where he can earn a better living for his family. When he’s offered to lead one of the many pirogues that head towards Europe, he reluctantly accepts, knowing full-well the dangers that lie ahead.

Senegalese director Moussa Touré’s third feature is a survival drama that captures—with visceral, heart-stopping force—a treacherous journey across the Atlantic. Rich with the intimate specifics of West African life, The Pirogue humanizes the people behind the crisis, tracing a journey of hope.