THE LAST VICTORY
aka DE LAATSTE OVERWINNING

Year: 2004
UK: Metrodome Distribution
Cast: Egidio Mecacci, Paolo Rossi, Alma Savini, Roberto Papei, Camilla Marzucchi, Alessandro Calderan
Director: John Appel
Country: The Netherlands
Language: Italian (English subtitles)
UK: 89 mins
UK Certificate: PG contains reality footage of mild violence
UK Release Date: 6 August 2004 (Limited Release)

Synopsis

A film about the passionate struggle of a small Italian community in Siena to win the town's annual event: Il Palio. The honour and respect of the district are at stake, as they have not won for years. The young need to feel the glory of a new victory coursing through their veins in order to be truly proud of their roots.

All the year round we follow a few members of the Civetta 'clan' closely. They have dedicated their lives to their district from the day they were born. From Egidio, the 92 year-old sage of the Civetta to 21 year-old Paolo, who grooms the horse and is totally committed to the cause. Only four days before the race, a lottery decides which horse is selected for the district. This horse is then paraded through the city as if it were a god. It symbolises Fate that will decide the future of the district.

THE LAST VICTORY is a moving film about the hopes, the moral convictions, the intrigues and the fluctuating fortunes of a small but passionate Italian community. It reflects the different layers of Italian society: its traditions, its religion, its politics and its love of sport.

THE LAST VICTORY was written and directed by John Appel and produced by Carmen Corbos. It was made with the participation of The Dutch Cultural Broadcasting Promotion Fund, The CoBO Fund and The Dutch Film Fund. In association with YLE Teema, SBS-TV Australia and Televisió de Catalunya.