By G.W. Henderson - Independent Automotive Correspondent
Every generation has a sports hero. One that, for whatever reason, will glow brighter than the others of their discipline will rise above the heads of their contemporaries and leave the fans with a feeling of respect, awe, and reverence. Not unlike Hank Aaron, Phil Mickelson, Michael Jordan, Chris Everett, Joe Namath, or Muhammad Ali, auto racing has had its share of heroes over the decades as well. Some of them are purely national, while others are truly international. And it is a deep conglomerate of both of those that the film 'SENNA' portrays in cinematic spectacle. FULL STORY
Not nationalistic in the sense of the United States or even North America...but as in Brazilian nationalism. For in Brazil Ayrton Senna da Silva was a National hero. He was a revered personage by young and old, male and female, rich and poor alike. Ayrton Senna was an event sociologic.
Even if you don't know anything about Formula 1 or auto racing in general the film will gently take you by the hand and lead you into the world of F1 racing politics, personality, glitz and glamour in a way that makes you interested in this person and you desire to know more. This is not your run of the mill, cookie cutter documentary.
This is a cinematic piece produced by a phalanx of incredible heavy hitters such as James Gay-Rees, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Kevin MacDonald who, collectively, claim such noteworthy works as 'The Warrior', 'Far North', 'Exit Through The Gift Shop', and 'The Last King of Scotland'. Yes, it's a documentary...but it plays like high drama.
The film, through use of archival footage from home movies, local news coverage, international news interviews, and Formula One TV tapes that Bernie Eccelstone released to the producers, allows you to follow the rapid development of a young Senna through go kart racing in his native Brazil through his early years as a fledgling F1 driver through his first win to his final of three world championships.
Along the way you hear, in his own voice, his thoughts regarding racing, teams and team mates, politics of the sport, and his deeply personal relationship with God. You also see how this son of Brazil becomes a symbol of hope for the depressed people of his homeland as well as an international superstar in the world of F1.
There are other "Documentaries" that have been done regarding his career but none so deeply about his "Life". The thoughts and words of his mother, father, and sister throughout the film give this a more personal feeling than any Wikipedia or Google search might and the incredibly emotional musical score of Antonio Pinto ('Quantum of Solace', 'Love in the Time of Cholera', 'Lord of War') is among the cinematographic hooks that keep you in the film. Pinto was such a fan that when he found out that Pandey and Kapadia were looking for someone to score the film he volunteered to do it for free...just to be a part of it.
It all works. To quote 4 time 11 victory Trans Am Road Racing Champion, Tommy Kendall, "You don't have to be a racing fan to enjoy 'SENNA'...Just human."
Will 'SENNA' be a hit here? Well, this was the first documentary film that I have seen in many years where the audience applauded enthusiastically at the end of the credits.
That alone should make you want to at least give this a watch.
'SENNA' - 2010 - Universal Pictures - Directed by Asif Kapadia, Written by Manish Pandey
About the Author:
G.W. Henderson has been involved in motorsports over 44 years in the United States and Canada as an official in the Sports Car Club of America, Formula Race Car Club of America, CART, IMSA, as well as a participant in NASCAR, EMMRA, numerous marque auto clubs, and NHRA as well as track announcer at Lime Rock Park and Bridgehampton Race Circuits. He is the SCCA's Northeast Division correspondent for the monthly magazine 'SportsCar' and was a weekly call-in contributor to the SCCA internet motorsports program 'Shifting Gears'.
