Senna
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Rating: 4.5/5 (10 votes cast)

The story of the monumental life and tragic death of legendary Brazilian motor-racing Champion, Ayrton Senna. Spanning the decade from his arrival in Formula One in the mid 80's, the film follows Senna's struggles both on track against his nemesis, French World Champion Alain Prost, and off it, against the politics which infest the sport. Sublime, spiritual yet, on occasion, ruthless - Senna conquers and transcends Formula One to become a global superstar. Privately, he is humble, almost shy, and fiercely patriotic, donating millions to his native Brasil and contemplating a life beyond motor-racing. Yet he is struck down in his prime on the blackest weekend in the history of the sport, watched live on television by 300 million people. Years on he is revered in Formula One as the greatest motor racing driver of all time - and in Brasil as a Saint.
Why It's FilmBuff
FilmBuff developed a newfound love of Ayrton Senna after experiencing Asif Kapadia's documentary. Senna transcends the normal sports documentary with its craftsmanship and it's ability to feel like an effortless narrative. Using archival footage from 3 different sources, Kapadia took a sports hero - well-known to everyone in the world outside the United States - and produced one of the most interesting biopics in recent years. With appeal that goes beyond traditional racing fans, everyone can find something to love in Senna.

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Film Details
106 mins -
Cast:
  • Ayrton Senna
    ... Himself
  • Alain Prost
    ... Himself
  • Frank Williams
    ... Himself
  • Ron Dennis
    ... Himself
  • Viviane Senna
    ... Herself
  • Milton de Sliva
    ... Himself
  • Neide Senna
    ... Herself
  • Sir Jackie Stewart
    ... Himself
Crew:
  • Director:
    Asif Kapadia
  • Writer:
    Manish Pandey
  • Producers:
    Tim Bevan
  • Producers:
    Liza Chasin
  • Producers:
    Eric Fellner
  • Producers:
    James Gay-Rees
  • Producers:
    Victoria Gregory
  • Producers:
    Debra Hayward
  • Producers:
    Kevin Macdonald
  • Producers:
    Manish Pandey
Film Reviews:
  • "You don't have to know anything about car racing at all. Instead, you simply have to like a great story, one that has all the elements: drama, inspiration, competition, victory, defeat, betrayal and, looming above it all, tragedy."
    Arizona Republic
  • "Senna makes a fascinating subject in a pretty entertaining film about a sport that isn't followed that closely by most Americans. But our very ignorance of that subject helps the film and adds to its impact. We don't know this story by heart."
    Orlando Sentinel
  • "A psychologically intriguing if at times too hagiographic portrait of a man who often held pole position in his profession and felt nearer to God because of it."
    Denver Post
  • "It's stripped of narration, talking heads, and anything else that might threaten to slow it down."
    The New Yorker
Film Festivals:
  • Sundance Film Festival
Production Company:
Universal Pictures
Film Website URL
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