TORREGROTTA. He was nominated forInternational Motor Film Awards of London the short film “An extra gear-The race” Of Ivan Venuto, young director from Torregrotta. Ivan is twenty years old, studies economics and his greatest passion was born at just fourteen years old watching films and fiction by film producers Martin Scorsese and Paolo Sorrentino. But the real opportunity came when Ivan had the opportunity to interview Sorrentino, on the occasion of the release of the film “It was the hand of God”. From him he received an important teaching, that of always cultivating passions because this is precisely what makes you unique. «During the interview – says Ivan – he explained to me that the director’s role is to bring order out of disorder and this has become the point of reference for my professional life».
Ivan’s is a real vocation that he cultivated from an early age. And his short film about the rally “An extra gear-The race” filmed in Patti thanks to the help of the cameramen Claudio Ventimiglia and the drone operator from Milazzo Samuele Patane it was already a success.
The short tells the story of a friendship that manages to save lives. The story is that of a boy, Diego, a young pilot (played by Ivan Venuto). The passion is interrupted following a bad accident in which his girlfriend, who acted as a navigator, dies. What made him happy all his life and that set of emotions that he could only find on those machines will lead him to complete destruction because following this tragic event Diego will lose control of his existence by using alcohol and drugs and not finding a roof over his head again. One day he understands that his life is no longer worth living and in this recovery journey he will be helped by his rival Roberto (played by Lorenzo Tuccini). The latter begins to live with Diego and takes him to train with him. Initially the situation between the two does not go well at all but the course of history will change, in fact Roberto will not only become a great friend but will be a real family that will be able to bring back the Diego who had already lost himself for too long.
These are two rivals with different mentalities but with only one characteristic in common, namely a deep passion for rallying.
A story of pain, friendship, recovery of one’s life that managed to enter international charts, up to the London event where innovative American short films and films such as Ferrari and Mission Impossible were featured.
«My goal – confesses the director and actor Ivan Venuto – was to be able to make people understand a simple thing, that is, that a Sicilian product can compete with an international product and the one made by me is proof of this». Ivan cares about his beloved Sicily, which is why he had the role as an operator in “Symbiosis”, a documentary about the marine biologist Monica Blasiset in the fascinating Aeolian Islands.
The inspiration for the creation of the short “An extra gear-The race” came from the film “Rush” based on the true story of the racing driver Niki Lauda.
«I saw this film – he remembers – and it made me understand that there are moments in our lives in which we find ourselves emotionally blocked and that only a machine can guarantee us freedom and this is precisely the reason why my short film is shot on rally”
From a directorial point of view, Ivan knew he was taking a risk but he wanted to do it because he knew he could afford it. He chose to take the risk and he did well because his project was well appreciated even by famous actors, such as Carlo Verdone.
«I want to enhance – concludes Ivan – my Sicily and above all I want to spark hope in schools by proposing to carry out more concrete projects in any field, be it IT, graphics, not just cinema, which reach abroad because I believe that this can help kids open their minds.”
Article by ALESSIA GIUNTA
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