Comedy-drama film The Champion (‘Il Campione’) featured as part of the opening night for the Lavazza Italian Film Festival in Palace Barracks Cinemas in Brisbane this year. It was a night to remember, starting off with a warm welcome by Festivals Director Elysia Zeccola, the night kicked off with what the audience would soon discover as a heartwarming and inspirational tale about realising your true potential. Directed by Leonardo D’Agostini and starring Stefano Accorsi and Andrea Carpenzano this truly terrific piece of cinema is one for all walks of life.
The narrative follows the football phenomenon that is Christian Ferro, as he waltzes through life, being fawned over, without a whole lot of consequences for his actions. When stealing from a store Christian doesn’t even get so much as a slap on the wrist, as he is what he is and that is a football star, there does not seem to be a whole lot of negative impacts for the behaviour of this young man. Fast cars and surrounded by women, Christian is what most men would refer to as “The Man” and the audience gets a feel of this from the opening scene. Rebel without a cause Christian may be reckless but he sure is charming, and this role is effortlessly played by Andrea Carpenzano.
Which leads me to the second man in the frame of this picture which is Valerio Fioretti. This role, played by Stefano Accorsi, is perfect for the theme of the film. Because Christian is rebelling a little more than usual, and that’s bad press, a decision has been made to finish his studies and pass the relevant exams or no more football! There is where Valerio comes into the picture, as a humble teacher trying to understand Christian and how to help him learn best. A classic moment is when Valerio asks for Christian’s name at the interview, a simple act in itself which helps to establish the theme of getting to know someone despite them being a ‘big shot’ already, and it’s also just manners.
The Champion is a meaningful film with a lot to say. When Valerio, after a bit of hesitation from Christian’s team, finally gets the job as Christian’s teacher, he starts to see what life is really like for this football star. It becomes apparent quickly that money does not equal happiness, and a lot of layers are peeled back on the life of the famous throughout this film. For instance, Christian’s Father is not the best role model nor a particularly good Father, finding every opportunity to take more money from the kid and his company of friends aren’t a whole lot better. Clearly, life can get pretty lonely when everyone is sucking the life force out of you and no wonder Christian isn’t doing so well at school.
But have no fear, because with Valerio around surely things can change - and we do eventually see Valerio’s patience rewarded. Teaching history visually on a whiteboard may not seem revolutionary but it sure works for Christian. In helping Christian see the board like a football game plan Valerio translates historical and contextual information to Christian with ease. With patience there is always reward it seems and with time, and plenty of support from Valerio, Christian starts to see his own capacity for learning. A warm and touching element to the story is the companionship of Valerio and Christian and how they learn to trust each other as people, but that of course isn’t without ups and downs.
Christian really has two options, he can either lean on Valerio and take some historical lessons on board and go toward a diploma or discard the learning aspect and keep letting the world around him leech off of his success. When a past love comes into the picture for Valerio, his wife who he no longer speaks with, and a new one comes into the frame for Christian, a girl who fixes vending machines and studies medicine, the two men must face their past and their future to discover who they really are. The Champion shows the importance of education and ultimately demonstrates the outcome of having a good teacher in your life.
Palace Barracks Sessions
Saturday 28, September 6:30 PM
Joanna Letic