Senna (M)

Directed by Asif Kapadia

Words: Lezly Herbert

Even people who are totally ignorant about car racing would have heard of the famous Brazilian motor-racing champion Ayrton Senna. He won the Formula One World Championship three times before losing his life in a racing accident at the age of 34. As a matter of a fact, he was the last person to die in an F1 race because his tragedy was the impetus for a huge overhaul of safety procedures. Even though he died seven years ago, his story is so moving that revheads and non-revheads alike will be fascinated by Senna’s journey and his quest for perfection.

Director Asif Kapadia allows archival footage (much of it never seen before) to tell the story of the young go-cart champion who went to Monte Carlo in 1984 to try to compete with the big guys. Right from the beginning, he was “fucked by the system” and cheated out of a win in his first race by the politics that would continue to make his racing life difficult. The aging footage takes the audience back to the actual races, and this includes shots from a camera in Senna’s car. Recollections from family, friends, colleagues and commentators bring the edge-of-your-seat tension of the races and the rivalry with the Frenchman Alain Proust all back to life.

Senna was brilliant on the track, especially in the rain when all the other drivers became more cautious. He was very spiritual and he speaks of his connection with god. Others talk of his “wonderful humility, not common among racing drivers.”

Senna’s charisma takes over the large screen and when he shows emotion, the audience cannot fail to fall in love with him.

Although you know what the conclusion is, most people are not aware of the enormous legacy this inspirational person left behind.

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