Director Matteo Rovere has taken to social media to honor rising star Kimi Antonelli by sharing behind-the-scenes photographs from the set of his 2016 film, 'Veloce come il vento'. The images, posted on Rovere's Instagram profile, capture a young Antonelli during the production that also featured Stefano Accorsi and marked the debut of Matilda De Angelis.
In the movie, a very young Antonelli played the role of Nico's friend, the younger brother of the protagonist, a seventeen-year-old driver competing in the prestigious Italian GT championship. The shared photos depict the new Formula One world champion looking out the window of the red 205 Gti used in the film's races and holding onto the director's arm. A third image shows a smiling Antonelli with an Italian flag following his world title victory.
Rovere accompanied the images with a tribute, writing that he sees the young actor ready to face life or perhaps looking for the keys to the 205 Gti to escape in a drift. He expressed pride in Antonelli, calling him a source of national honor, and extended a loving thought to his parents, Marco and Veronica. The director praised them as an inspiration to all parents for remaining true to themselves and remembering their origins even as their children's dreams become reality.
Sources: ANSA Sport.