Asif Kapadia: In Conversation

09 January 12

_{The full length Asif Kapadia interview video is available to watch now on BAFTA Guru.}

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Asif Kapadia is no stranger to critical recognition, having won a BAFTA in 2001 for his Hindi-language feature The Warrior. But it is his most recent film - a theatrical documentary about the life of Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna - that has really got people talking. It picked up awards at Sundance and Los Angeles earlier this year, and broke the record for the highest grossing opening weekend for a documentary film when it opened in the UK.

In this video, filmed on a hot day at the start of this year's Latitude Festival, the director talks about the artistic and political decisions involved in making a film about such an iconic figure. He discusses the unprecedented amount of archive footage of Senna, and how this allowed for a more 'drama-like' construction. He also discusses the issue of appealing to non-racing fans, the techniques used to gain interviewees' trust, and describes the emotional preview screening held for Senna's close family.

Documentary's always used the techniques of drama; drama's always used documentary's techniques: there's always been a crossover.

Watch the Asif Kapadia interview on BAFTA Guru

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_{BAFTA Guru is the Academy's online resource: inspiring minds in film, TV and games. Featuring the best in-depth video and podcasts from figures across the industries.}

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