Ua human and sporting history. The winning jabthe TV movie airing this evening on Rai 1 at 9.30pmtells the true story of fencing world champion Paolo Pizzo who fought against a cancer and for a dream, to win on the platform.
Paolo is played by Alessio Vassallo, Sicilian like the schemerwhile his father and coach from Flavio Insinnawho will no longer be at the helm of The legacy: from 1 January 2024 and after 5 seasons the baton will pass to my colleague Pino Teach.
The winning jab: the plot
Paolo Pizzo (Vassallo) is on the platform, is competing in his first épée final at the 2011 World Fencing Championship. He is in his native Catania. All of Italy is watching him on TV, while his father Piero (Flavius insinna) is there by his side to support him, as he has always done, even when he fell ill as a child cancer. The most difficult battle won by Paolo.
Since that October 2011 the director Nicolò Campiotti takes us back in time to tell the story of Paul, a boy, a man, a sportsman with his frailties, falls and victories. He tells us about his relationship with his family and above all with his father, with his girlfriend Lavinia (Elena Funari), a pentathlete he meets in Rome, with his sword teacher Oleg Pouzanov and with himself.
There is more to Paolo’s fencing anger what a competitive spirit. In the long journey towards winning the first world championship in 2011, Pizzo will be able to control his anger and get rid of his greatest fear, that of illness, which he had never confessed to anyone. Not being ashamed is his winning move.
The true story of Paolo Pizzo
Paolo Pizzowho also told his story in the book The winning jab (Sperling & Kupfer) co-written with Marco Videtta, supported the project and assisted directly Alessio Vassallo. «It’s difficult to say what I felt when I saw the film – he says Paul – I felt some profound sensations. Every time I see him I can’t hold back the tears.” Pizzo has won two World Epee Championships, in 2011 and 2017.
Flavio Insinna and Alessio Vassallo. (Rai press office)
«This film left a lasting impression on me because I play a man who I always had next to me on set – he comments Vassal – I saw it moved and angry with me. I started from the body – he says – I trained for months, then I concentrated on the central theme of the film, the fall: what does it mean to fall in life? As Paolo told me: “You fall, but you don’t get up again, sometimes you stop and look at the world with a different perspective. And perhaps, when a helping hand arrives, we can cheer ourselves up.” Everyone can relate to this story, because everyone falls and you shouldn’t be ashamed to talk about it. I re-centered my life thanks to this film».
Flavio Insinna and the farewell toInheritancebut not to Rai
From this year Flavio Insinna it will not lead The legacyafter five seasons the baton passes to Pino Teachwho will lead the quiz starting January 1, 2024.
«The legacy It was an amazing ride five seasons long, a love story over, but not the love story with Rai. It’s a piece of my life. I thank La7 who wanted me for a quiz similar and at the same time – continues the actor – accepting it seemed like I was going against myself, it’s not in my DNA. Have a good lifeInheritance to Raifor now I’m here.” Insinna in the future he will dedicate himself more to acting: «It’s my job, it’s not a form of consolation», he underlines.
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