Tolo Tolo

Checco Zalone plays a would be self made young entrepreneur from Puglia who dreams big and runs a tiny sushi restaurant that flops within weeks. Bank accounts empty, he looks abroad to escape his debts instead of facing them at home. In Africa he takes a job as a resort waiter in Kenya, cooling off with sunshine and tourists while money concerns linger. When fighting breaks out nearby, he clambers onto a crowded boat bound for Europe, traveling alongside a band of friends from Africa. He hopes to start anew far from Italy yet keeps an eye on larger ambitions and a different kind of freedom, even if the path is unpredictable and funny, and the future feels oddly hopeful.

Directed by Checco Zalone with Paolo Virzì, this Italian comedy drama premiered in 2020. It leans on an original screenplay rather than adapting a book, blending Zalone's signature humor with Virzì's storytelling sensibilities to stage a modern migration tale today.

Worldwide box office reached 52,186,426 dollars on a budget of 20 million, underscoring solid commercial performance for an Italian comedy. The film drew sizable audiences in Italy and beyond, reflecting Checco Zalone's homegrown appeal and market pull, worldwide curiosity grows.

The film sparked conversations around migration and media stereotypes, prompting social media chatter and public debates in Italy. It paired broad humor with serious subjects, inviting audiences to contrast comedians facade with real world challenges. The mix made certain scenes become talking points beyond the cinema. Viewers debated cultural differences, generosity and the cost of seeking safety or success online.

Critics praised the film for balancing laughs with social commentary while acknowledging Zalone's charisma as a draw. The central themes touch on ambition, displacement, and friendship in a world of borders, economic strain, and opportunity. Some reviews noted risky stereotypes, but the overall reception celebrated a timely, provocative comedy too.