To kick off Beach Flicks seventh season, there will be a Filmmakers Movie Night with Tony Girardin, the producer and director of the first featured film.
Marinoni: The Fire in the Frame will be playing at Eaglecrest Golf Course on Friday (Sept. 23) and will be followed by a question-and-answer period with Girardin.
Luba Plotnikoff, one of the volunteers for Beach Flicks, said it’s a special event when they have a producer in town to share their magic with the audience.
“We have an active community of cycling enthusiasts who have probably owned a Marinoni and now they will be able to ask the producer questions after the film has finished,” Plotnikoff said.
The film follows champion cyclist Giuseppe Marinoni, 75, as he gets back into shape to attempt to set a new world record for his age group.
The synopsis states: “Giuseppe Marinoni found his calling when he transitioned from champion cyclist to master bike craftsman. After years hunched over toxic fumes, his passion almost kills him. Now age 75, Marinoni is riding again and attempts a world record.”
Marinoni, who was born in Italy, now lives in Montreal and is the founder of Marinoni Cycles. Over the years, he has competed in, and won, numerous races.
Girardin has been travelling throughout North America with the film, and he said visiting the smaller venues has been a lot of fun.
“Some of these venues get better turnouts than larger cities,” Girardin said. “I guess people rally around it and get together.”
He said touring with the film seems to have more of an impact on the viewers.
“It resonates that much more with people. It leaves an imprint,” Girardin said.
The documentary, Girardin said, has had a real impact on people so far.
“It’s not a film for cyclists alone,” he said. “It’s really a film for everyone. We’re all faced with aging and death and Mr. Marinoni does a wonderful job of living life to the fullest.”
He added that it’s the story of somebody trying to find their calling.
“It’s just a human story.”
Girardin said he started working on the filming in 2013 and editing began the following year along with some showings at festivals.
“The response was so overwhelming,” Girardin said, adding that they waited until 2015 to release the documentary in Canada. The U.S. release was just this year.
Following the Qualicum Beach showing, Girardin will be travelling to Spain, Japan and France for showings.
“I guess the fact that it’s being demanded there is a good thing,” he said.
Marinoni: The Fire in the Frame, Girardin said, has qualified for the 2017 Academy Awards, but he added that right now it’s just part of a long list of films.
Tickets for the film are $7 at the door at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at 7 p.m. with introductions from Girardin.