As a fan of captivating stories and a newcomer to the world of Formula One, I found myself utterly enthralled by the journey of Ayrton Senna as portrayed in the Netflix series “Senna.” The passion, skill, and resilience that this legendary driver exhibited on and off the track were truly inspiring.
Senna came at the perfect time for Kaya Scodelario.
She had been eagerly seeking the perfect project, a film set in Brazil, primarily created by its locals – something that would resonate with her half-Brazilian emotions and test her abilities. The actress expresses her excitement about discovering that there was a role available in the Netflix series Senna. Although her mother emigrated from Brazil just before Scodelario’s birth, she frequently spent her summers there and has always maintained a strong emotional bond with that aspect of her heritage.
Growing up, Ayrton Senna da Silva was more than just a racing driver to me – he was a vital part of my childhood. To any Brazilian, he wasn’t merely a racer; he was a hero, an icon, and a cultural phenomenon that transcended the sport of Formula One.
On Friday, Nov. 29th, you’ll find me immersed in “Senna,” a six-part documentary streaming about the legendary racer. This gripping series delves into Senna’s life and his intensifying rivalry with my French teammate, Alain Prost. It culminates at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, where a fateful crash on the track took my life prematurely at age 34. A champion for stricter safety regulations throughout my career, I’ve become a symbol of resilience and sacrifice in this sport for many.
Actress Scodelario portrays Laura, a fictional character who serves as the athlete’s main link to home while he departs for Europe on his journey to become an F1 champion. She is a correspondent for the motorsport magazine Autosport and can converse with him in his native Portuguese, tracking his career from its initial phases until he became one of the most successful drivers anyone had ever witnessed.
The film, titled “Senna“, was filmed in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. An entirely Brazilian crew handled its production, with Gabriel Leone playing the main character. Directed by Vicente Amori and Júlia Rezende, this movie authentically portrays the perils of F1 racing. Actress Lily James expresses her fascination for it in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, stating, “I became genuinely captivated by it. I found the complexities of it, the political aspects intriguing, but also the athletes and their physical endurance truly compelling.
In the interview with THR, the actress shares her experiences filming Senna and exploring her roots. She touches upon the profound impact of Ayrton Senna’s death on Brazilians and discusses a photograph of a genuine female motorsport journalist that influenced the character of Laura. The actress also expresses her desire to challenge stereotypes, saying “I’ve always been a rule-breaker. If someone says something is only for boys, I feel compelled to say ‘Watch me enjoy it just as much as you do.’
What attracted you to this role?
For the past two to three years, I’ve been openly discussing with my team about a dream project in Brazil. This was something I truly desired, not just for creative growth, but also to showcase my Portuguese language skills on screen. However, it was essential for me to secure a role that would make sense given that I’m not fully Brazilian. You understand, my accent isn’t flawless and I don’t have formal education in Portuguese. I can converse in Portuguese, but it’s not perfect.
Ayrton Senna played a substantial role in my childhood memories. To every Brazilian, he’s more than just a hero; he’s an icon and a cultural pillar of great significance. I was already familiar with him, but when we learned about the project that featured a bilingual journalist character following his global career, it was like opening a present on Christmas morning. Not only was I excited to shoot in Brazil, where the production is led by Brazilians, and one of their largest-scale projects ever, but also because the story revolved around this admired figure who evokes such deep affection. Every Brazilian I know still remembers the day he passed away, can recall exactly where they were. It felt like a significant responsibility to portray this hero with so much love associated with him.
Do you remember where you were?
At the age of two, I was likely wandering around Brazil, but my most vivid memory of him dates back to 2010 when Universal’s Senna documentary was released. I recall going to a cinema in Camden Town and being surrounded by Brazilians. It seemed like every Brazilian living in north London had purchased tickets to watch it as soon as it was available, making for an incredibly special, distinct cinema experience. The theater was filled with people standing up, shouting, crying, celebrating, dancing, booing Prost whenever he appeared on screen. It was a rowdy yet exhilarating atmosphere, but not chaotic. Instead, it embodied celebration, passion, and all the emotions I felt conflicted about growing up as a half Brazilian woman. My two cultural backgrounds represent vastly different emotional landscapes. Being in that space made me feel proud to be part of such an emotionally expressive crowd honoring this hero, this man. Surprisingly, many people who had no interest in Formula One were also there.
Does it matter if a series depicting Ayrton Senna’s life and achievements is produced in Brazil, created by those who admire him deeply?
Absolutely. For quite some time, Brazil has been a powerhouse in the film industry, consistently making waves at the Oscars for foreign films. We boast exceptional directors and actors, many of whom have made their mark in Hollywood. However, there’s a vast reservoir of untapped talent here. Being one of the most culturally diverse nations globally, Brazil is brimming with stories waiting to be told. Therefore, it was crucial for me that this story wasn’t just another Americanized version. Instead, I wanted it to emerge authentically from the hearts and minds of Brazilians.
Is it fair to say this experience helped you connect with your Brazilian heritage?
Absolutely! I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity I’ve had. Many second-generation Brazilians who didn’t grow up in their homeland often feel displaced, and I certainly did for quite some time. However, my upbringing in a Brazilian household has made me feel deeply connected to Brazil, more so than Britain. The food I prepare, the music I enjoy, and even the depth of my emotions—from passion to anger, love, and everything in between—are heavily influenced by this. What’s more, despite these connections, I had never set foot in Brazil before. This incredible experience allowed me to work alongside Brazilians, delving into a world of set design, costumes, hair, and makeup that was all about Brazilian creativity.
For myself, this particular occasion held immense significance as I shared six weeks with my children and their father right here. Instead of staying in a hotel, we opted for a cozy apartment rental instead. Daily trips to the supermarket became part of our routine, while the parks served as our playgrounds. We also embarked on excursions across the country, allowing me to witness firsthand my children absorbing a piece of their culture. My son now feels more connected to Brazil following this experience. In essence, I found immense joy and gratitude in this job opportunity, as it felt like it nourished my spirit more than any other task I’ve undertaken in the past.
That doesn’t sound wanky at all! Let’s get into your character, Laura. I know she’s fictional, but did you draw any inspiration from real-life female motorsport journalists?
Regrettably, searching for female motorjournalists was disheartening as there were only a few I encountered, especially during the ’80s and ’90s when it was rare to see women on the track. It’s still challenging today, but it was significantly harder back then. Motor sports are unique because athletes are often surrounded by the press immediately. I came across an intriguing photo of a female journalist struggling amidst the crowd in one shot, and breaking free to the front in another. That image inspired me greatly, symbolizing how Laura had to use her abilities, intelligence, and femininity to make her way forward whenever possible. Consequently, I often had to apologize to the artists portraying other journalists, as I found myself pushing them aside and ducking under them to reach the front – mimicking what it might have been like for her.
We wanted her to be a combination of not only the female motorsport journalists at the time, but also the Western journalists, and what that meant for South American drivers. Formula One is such an international sport. It’s what’s really interesting about it, but the politics that come with that, the conditioned racism and biases that come along with being a driver from a certain country. I really felt that, and we touch on it in the second episode, and I wanted her to represent not only Western journalism, but that in her heart, she was Brazilian and she connected with [Senna] through that.
And we see that in the show — that small connection that they have.
To ensure that Ayrton Senna’s narrative remained authentic and untainted, we chose not to introduce any romantic subplots. Instead, Laura served as a British perspective on his life, offering insight into his journey, and she was always by his side, comprehending him and providing a link back home from time to time.
I’m curious, were you a fan of F1 before you took on this job?
No! My auntie’s a huge fan, but I hadn’t been at all, and I was really excited by that because one of my favorite nerdy things about this job is that you get to do a bunch of research on a random subject that you never thought you’d ever look into. And that could be alligators or ice skating or Formula One. It’s like, suddenly you have to become a mastermind category: this is my specialty thing. And I actually really fell in love with it, the intricacies of it, the politics behind it being very interesting, but also the athletes and how much they put their body through.
In the ’80s and ’90s, a significant portion of my research was dedicated to my field. However, quite suddenly, I found myself immersed in the latest competitions this year, feeling an exciting surge of enthusiasm – wow, this is fascinating! This newfound interest led me to attend the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this year, an experience that was absolutely exhilarating. Additionally, I’ve always been one to challenge conventions. If someone suggests that a particular activity is only for boys, my response is typically, ‘No, I can appreciate it just as much as you can.’ Therefore, being amongst all these enthusiasts who believed they knew everything about Formula One was a delightful change of pace. After spending an entire year researching the subject, I felt confident enough to engage in knowledgeable conversations with them.
Formula One (F1) has gained immense popularity lately, with Drive to Survive contributing significantly to its growth. This sport has truly exploded on a global scale, but the legacy of drivers from the ’90s, especially Ayrton Senna, continues to thrive. It seems that F1 enthusiasts have a deep appreciation for the sport’s past, and Senna is the driver whom all fans agree epitomizes racing. What do you believe makes him so iconic?
There was a purity to his driving. It’s something that we wanted to explore in the show. It’s something that was a huge part of his childhood. His whole life was dedicated to this sport. And I think being Brazilian, the passion that came with that, there’s just a purity to his driving that is hard to replicate. It was always about the driving for him, it was always about the skill and knowing the track and studying it, and also being unafraid to go toe to toe with the regulators. And he was pushed the boundaries of the sport. I think that’s something that a lot of people admire about him as well. He never allowed anyone to tell him he couldn’t do something. I know that in the scripts, it was really important for us to emphasize that he was aware of the safety regulations and what was going on in the cars and how they were being built and how dangerous it was getting, and he spoke up about it quite openly. There was just a purity to his driving that even when you watch the footage back now, especially the ones in the rain, there’s something so beautiful about it.
Do you think Senna is a show for F1 fans, sports fans, or a show for everyone?
This film is one of those exceptional pieces that transcends all barriers, similar to the 2010 documentary, which primarily focused on a remarkable man and the immense significance he held for a nation in desperate need of inspiration during its time. Even now, the country remains spellbound by him. However, I believe the directors also skillfully portrayed racial aspects within the film. As you watch it, you find yourself both captivated and anxious. It provides that thrilling sensation we cherish when watching sports on screen. But it’s not just about the sport; it’s his journey, his life as he saw it, his bond with his family, his love for his country, and how these elements eventually shattered his heart too.
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2024-11-29 19:25