Fastest (2011)

Directed by: Mark Neale | 110 minutes | documentary

Mark Neale is a MotoGP fanatic, that much is clear. His resume includes the titles ‘Faster’ (2003) and ‘The Doctor, The Tornado & The Kentucky Kid’ (2006), two highly regarded documentaries about the world of motorcycle racing. With the little original titled ‘Fastest’ from 2011, he adds a third film to that list. This documentary also gives a revealing look behind the scenes of MotoGP. In particular, the images shot from the motorcycles during the GPs are breathtaking, because the viewer experiences the speed (which can go up to 350 kilometers per hour) that the drivers get so excited about. That also makes it understandable why they risk their lives and want to go faster and faster and always want to win.

Superstar Valentino Rossi will star in ‘Fastest’, the Italian veteran on his way to claim his tenth world title. Spectacular images of the races are interspersed with behind-the-scenes interviews. A horrific crash throws a spanner in the works for Rossi and his main challengers, Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo and Australian Casey Stoner, lie in wait. Remarkably, Rossi recovers; forty-one days later he makes his comeback. The dedication of these men is impressive. Rossi’s hunt for his tenth world title is the common thread in this adrenaline-fueled film, but Neale also packs his film full of technical information about the machines, which are probably very interesting for motorcycle freaks but the ‘layman’ is probably a bit too detailed . Much nicer are the images he made in Rossi’s native village Tavullia, where it is clear how this little man is admired. One of his fans puts it this way: ‘When he drives, we all dream. Then everything changes.”

The rivalry between the drivers – although they talk about each other respectfully – is also captivatingly portrayed. Stoner, for example, is still stuck with a certain moment from a race, in which he is said to have been tapped by Rossi. The Italian denies having touched his competitor in all keys. The dangers of MotoGP are also discussed. What kind of injuries and injuries you can get. Racing can even be deadly, we were reminded of that once again in October 2011 when the talented but rather reckless Marco Simoncelli (only 24) died on the Malaysian track. The urge for speed and adrenaline also has its dark side. Race fanatic Ewan McGregor has been willing to talk the film together and that is a golden opportunity; you can’t listen long enough to his pleasant Scottish accent.

‘Fastest’ has a good momentum, which provides the necessary tension. This documentary is definitely a must for fans of MotoGP and fans of Valentino Rossi. For outsiders, this film may occasionally delve too deeply into the matter. Technical terms and the jumping back and forth in time (the race recordings date from the period 2003-2010 and Neale jumps from hot to again) make ‘Fastest’ unnecessarily complex and difficult to follow for the uninitiated. For connoisseurs, it is enjoying a revealing look behind the scenes of MotoGP. The spectacular images of the races make you feel like you’re on the back of Rossi or Lorenzo’s bike and give ‘Fastest’ an extra adrenaline rush. Fascinating, fast, exciting and insightful.