Documentary 'Weekend Champion ~ Monte Carlo 1971' | MOVIE
LOUNGE / MOVIE
July 14, 2015

Documentary 'Weekend Champion ~ Monte Carlo 1971' | MOVIE


MOVIE | Roman Polanski and a Legendary F1 Racer's Special Weekend


Documentary 'Weekend of a Champion – Monte Carlo 1971'


Master filmmaker Roman Polanski and legendary racer Jackie Stewart. This documentary captures a weekend the two friends spent in Monaco in 1971, conveying the fervor of motor racing at the time. The film, featuring footage discovered after 40 years with the two men reflecting on the past, will be released on July 18 (Saturday) at Theatre Image Forum.

Text by YANAKA Tomomi





Film Miraculously Discovered After 40 Years, Buried in a Warehouse



Director Roman Polanski is known as a motor racing enthusiast. This documentary was born from a weekend he spent with his friend Jackie Stewart at the Monaco Grand Prix, a major F1 event, in 1971. The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1972 but was eventually lost in a warehouse.

The film was miraculously rediscovered after approximately 40 years, and footage of Polanski and Stewart revisiting 'that weekend' was added to create 'Weekend of a Champion – Monte Carlo 1971.' Selected as a special invitation film at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, this work, which portrays the most brilliant era of motor racing in the 1970s, is finally being released in Japan.

Directed by Frank Simon, Roman Polanski participated as a producer and re-edited the film. Jackie Stewart's son is also listed as an executive producer.



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What Did They Witness in the Golden Age of Motor Racing?



Monaco Grand Prix, 1971. Roman Polanski, already a notable film director, visited Monaco to watch his friend, the world's best driver Jackie Stewart, race, and to spend the race weekend with him.

The roar of engines echoed through the city streets, thrilling the crowds, as racers risked their lives for the glory of being number one. Yet, beneath the surface, there was the sorrow of losing loved ones and friends to accidents. Then, after 40 years, Polanski and Stewart reunited. Gazing out at the town of Monaco, they reflect on the most brilliant era of motor racing and their younger selves, discussing those times.

'Weekend of a Champion – Monte Carlo 1971' conveys the dazzling spectacle of the Monaco Grand Prix and its excitement. The intense time they shared is brought back to life today.



'Weekend of a Champion – Monte Carlo 1971'
Opening July 18 (Saturday) at Theatre Image Forum
Director | Frank Simon
Starring | Jackie Stewart, Helen Stewart, Roman Polanski
Distribution | Laidback Corporation
2013 / UK-France / 93 min / Original Title: 'WEEKEND OF A CHAMPION'
http://weekendofachampion.euro-p.info


© 2012 R.P.PRODUCTIONS