Picturehouse Entertainment and Altitude Film Distribution have unveiled the first international trailer for Palio – a new film highlighting and documenting the charge, energy and corruption that characterize one of the world’s oldest and most intense events.
The ‘Palio di Siena’ is the oldest horse race in the world, and is held twice a year, on July 2nd and August 16th, in Siena, Italy. It is one of the most popular Italian manifestations which involves ten horses and riders, bareback and dressed in the appropriate colours to represent ten of the seventeen districts, or city wards. It turns the Italian city of Siena into a high-stakes battleground of strategy, interest and masculinity.
This trailer is released to tie in with the race this year, which is taking place this weekend. Watch here;
“Legendary rider Gigi Bruschelli has won 13 Palios in 16 years. Born in Siena, the Palio is in his blood. Two races away from beating the world record, Bruschelli will do anything to win, but one jockey stands in his way, his former apprentice, a handsome young Sardinian driven by a fearless passion to become number one, Giovanni Atzeni.”
Palio is a behind-the-scenes look at the most dramatic race in the world. Director Spender captures the passion and intensity of the Palio, saying “I grew up with the Palio so I was uniquely placed to gain the trust of everyone involved in the film and our narrator was able to open doors which are normally closed to outsiders.”
Palio was co-produced by the man who bought you the biggest documentary of the year Amy and internationally-acclaimed Senna, James Gay-Rees. “The politics, passion, intensity and heritage of the Palio are in some ways very similar to those of Formula One” continues James Gay-Rees, “As with Senna, we have managed to get under the skin of this amazing world and shine a light on one of the most compelling spectacles on the planet.”
Palio will be released in UK cinemas on Friday 25th September & the trailer is released to tie in with the August Palio this year, which is taking place this weekend in the Italian city of Siena.
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