The film "Pistons, Passions, Pleasures - A Sicilian Dream" celebrated its premiere in London on October 19, 2015 and is now also available on DVD and Blu-Ray. In the film, director Alain de Cadenet and renowned Italian historian Francesco da Mosto follow the fascinating traces and myths of the oldest of all road races across the Sicilian mountains in an Alfa Romeo 8C from 1931. The entire era from the first to the last race (1906-1977) is covered and the story of motorsport enthusiast Vincenzo Florio, who only ever had one dream, the race should never be forgotten, is not neglected either.
On the trail of the Sicilian road race
The Targa Florio was a Sicilian mountain road race that created a new era of motorsport in 1906 that still exists today. Dreamed up by Vincenzo Florio, the youngest son of a wealthy Sicilian business family, it ran until 1977 and was considered totally crazy but also an absolute must for all good racing drivers and car manufacturers. The film begins an emotional journey to the heart of history, which aims to get to the bottom of the mother of all hill climbs.
But for Alain de Cadenet, the journey is more than just a documentary about a famous race and its founder. For him, this trip is the end of a nightmare that began over 40 years ago at the 1970 Targa Florio. Back then, he himself was one of the daring participants in the race, but a terrible accident almost cost him his life. At the last second, he was pulled unconscious from the burning wreckage of his Lola T212 by a Sicilian farmer.
Since then, the memories of this experience have stayed with him. To finally put it all behind him, he decided to drive the Targa Florio route once again and this time he did not see it as the road race that he wanted to win at all costs, but as the glorious race that fascinated the world and created legends and dreams.
In Francesco da Mosto, he found the perfect companion to discover the magic of the Targa Florio. Because he too has a very special relationship with Sicily and therefore also with the race. The Italian historian from Venice has his roots in Sicily. For Francesco, this journey marks the beginning of a search for his Sicilian side, a part of him that he had been missing for a long time.
Spectacular scenes from back then
While Francesco and Alain are on the racetrack in the Alfa Romeo 8C, viewers can immerse themselves in the history of the race and that of Vicenzo Florio. All aspects that made the race significant and unique are shown. Original footage from the time is shown and Da Mosto enriches the film with additional commentary on the history. Many other contemporary witnesses also have their say.
With every newly discovered aspect of the race, Alain gets closer to the magic of the race and this makes him forget the collision more and more, while Francesco gets closer to his roots step by step. He learns more about his lost Sicilian half, as each new village they come to has its own unique story to tell.
The beginning of the end
In the period between the First and Second World Wars, drivers became increasingly careless and the races increasingly dangerous. Shortly afterwards, in 1926, the race suffered its first fatality and Vincenzo was disinherited by his family. This marked the beginning of a dark chapter for the race and for Florio itself.
After the Second World War, the golden years of motorsport began. Drivers such as the Sicilian Nino Vaccarella, Achille Varzi, Brain Redman, Vic Elford, Graham Hill and Stirling Moss made the race popular again worldwide. Vincenzo was able to witness how all these drivers helped the race regain its former glory in 1955. In the end, he died dispossessed but happy.
But times changed and the race became more and more dangerous. The number of participants increased, and the number of fatalities became ever more dramatic. A fatal accident in 1971 heralded the end of the spectacular road race. When a car crashed into a group of spectators in 1977, this finally spelled the end of the circuit race.
Emotional final scenes
At the end, Alain de Cadenet returns to the spot where he almost lost his life before being rescued by the Sicilian farmer. In an emotional final scene, he meets the farmer's son for the first time, who witnessed the entire accident at the age of 12.
Francesco has also come full circle. When the two men reach the end of the road and their journey through Sicilian history, he feels complete for the first time. In different ways, they both have the Targa Florio in their blood: Vizenco, the race and the island. In the end, however, Florio's dream also comes true, because the race lives on in the minds and souls of many people and so the Targa Florio will never be forgotten.
All further details about the film and the trailer can be found on the website.
