Photo: Tim Hahne/No Limits documentary screenshot
“Before I go on with this short history, let me make a general observation - the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise. This philosophy fitted on to my early adult life, when I saw the improbable, the implausible, often the ‘impossible,’ come true.” - F. Scott Fitzgerald in The Crack-Up.
I didn't have a role model growing up. Sure, I looked up to many people, and still do, not necessarily because of my height, but I can't honestly say that I was ever in need of someone famous to look up to.
Not trying to sound like a hipster here, by the way. That said, getting to know more things about an athlete like Alessandro Zanardi can actually change one's perception of real heroes, motorsport, and even life itself. Partly to blame for this are a couple of German fellows who are into movie-making.
Motorsport-related movies, mainly, which is how they ended up tagging along Alex Zanardi, who probably needs no introduction, DTM-champion Bruno Spengler, and ex-formula 1 driver Timo Glock during the trio's battle at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and Zanardi's own struggle at the Handcycle World Championship.
The resulting documentary is the first ever motorsport-related movie that has been filmed entirely in 4K resolution. Typically, that wouldn't make too much of a difference compared to less endowed formats, but in this case, it certainly does.
You've all probably seen your fair share of documentaries that depict your favorite race cars, drivers or racing circuits, but “No Limits” is on a whole other level.
To give you an idea, the screenshot featured above is not of Alex Zanardi on fire, at least not literally, but of Alex simply evaporating a vast amount of sweat after a two-hour driving stint in a BMW Z4 GT3 during the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
In fact, one of the most moving sequences in Tim Hahne's production is probably when Alex walks to his motorhome for a quick shower and a bit of sleep during the famed endurance race. There, he takes off his legs and empties them of sweat on the floor like regular folks remove their socks before going to bed. Haunting but beautiful at the same time.
There is nothing “normal” about Zanardi and his career after the crash that took his legs in 2001, and I mean that in the most appreciative way possible. The man has not only overcome all the adversities that have been thrown at him but also managed to become an inspiration for handicapped and non-handicapped people alike. He's also quite possibly the only MAMIL (Middle-Aged Man In Lycra) that you should never laugh at, mainly because he's more more badass than you.
On September 15, while leading a CART race at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz, in Germany, Zanardi was involved in a gruesome crash with Alex Tagliani, who impaled his single-seater from the side, severing it in half, along with his legs.
The terrible impact concluded with Zanardi losing both lower members and nearly 70 percent of his blood volume, leaving him almost dead. Thanks to a subsequent medical operation that took place at the right moment and was performed by the right doctors, Alex kept his life, but the accident marked the end of his single-seater racing career.
While this would have resulted in at least a severe depression for most people, it sparked the birth of a superhero gene in Alex. After a zealous rehabilitation program that continues up to this day, Zanardi designed and built a pair of custom prosthetic legs for himself. Less than three years later he was racing again with a car fitted with hand-operated accelerator and brake controls.
Between 2005 and 2009, the Italian Superman competed quite successfully in the World Touring Car Championship. At the same time, Zanardi also started an even more successful career in handcycling, where he is still competing and has accumulated a number of gold and silver medals.
The “No Limits - Impossible is just a word” documentary is a 60-minute film that depicts part of the extraordinary motorsport adventures of Alex Zanardi, Bruno Spengler, and Timo Glock, but the real story is definitely revolving around Alex and his fantastic willpower.
In short, the three racers had to compete using a single car at Spa, so the BMW Z4 GT3 had to be modified to allow Alex's custom steering wheel.
Although the grueling 24-hour endurance race portrayed in the film took place in 2015, I won't spoil its ending, but the documentary also depicts what happened just four days after, when Alex won another gold medal at the Handcycle World Championship in Switzerland.
This said, I urge everyone who is feeling down about themselves for whatever reason to go watch this documentary because it will transform their lives. The trailer I have attached below is well made and emotional, but I promise you that the film itself will leave you speechless at certain moments.
You can watch the entire thing on Vimeo, where you can stream it for only six bucks and a half or download it for $11,50, which is way cheaper than a movie date. Vimeo and chill, anyone?
Not trying to sound like a hipster here, by the way. That said, getting to know more things about an athlete like Alessandro Zanardi can actually change one's perception of real heroes, motorsport, and even life itself. Partly to blame for this are a couple of German fellows who are into movie-making.
Motorsport-related movies, mainly, which is how they ended up tagging along Alex Zanardi, who probably needs no introduction, DTM-champion Bruno Spengler, and ex-formula 1 driver Timo Glock during the trio's battle at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and Zanardi's own struggle at the Handcycle World Championship.
The resulting documentary is the first ever motorsport-related movie that has been filmed entirely in 4K resolution. Typically, that wouldn't make too much of a difference compared to less endowed formats, but in this case, it certainly does.
You've all probably seen your fair share of documentaries that depict your favorite race cars, drivers or racing circuits, but “No Limits” is on a whole other level.
To give you an idea, the screenshot featured above is not of Alex Zanardi on fire, at least not literally, but of Alex simply evaporating a vast amount of sweat after a two-hour driving stint in a BMW Z4 GT3 during the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
In fact, one of the most moving sequences in Tim Hahne's production is probably when Alex walks to his motorhome for a quick shower and a bit of sleep during the famed endurance race. There, he takes off his legs and empties them of sweat on the floor like regular folks remove their socks before going to bed. Haunting but beautiful at the same time.
There is nothing “normal” about Zanardi and his career after the crash that took his legs in 2001, and I mean that in the most appreciative way possible. The man has not only overcome all the adversities that have been thrown at him but also managed to become an inspiration for handicapped and non-handicapped people alike. He's also quite possibly the only MAMIL (Middle-Aged Man In Lycra) that you should never laugh at, mainly because he's more more badass than you.
On September 15, while leading a CART race at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz, in Germany, Zanardi was involved in a gruesome crash with Alex Tagliani, who impaled his single-seater from the side, severing it in half, along with his legs.
The terrible impact concluded with Zanardi losing both lower members and nearly 70 percent of his blood volume, leaving him almost dead. Thanks to a subsequent medical operation that took place at the right moment and was performed by the right doctors, Alex kept his life, but the accident marked the end of his single-seater racing career.
While this would have resulted in at least a severe depression for most people, it sparked the birth of a superhero gene in Alex. After a zealous rehabilitation program that continues up to this day, Zanardi designed and built a pair of custom prosthetic legs for himself. Less than three years later he was racing again with a car fitted with hand-operated accelerator and brake controls.
Between 2005 and 2009, the Italian Superman competed quite successfully in the World Touring Car Championship. At the same time, Zanardi also started an even more successful career in handcycling, where he is still competing and has accumulated a number of gold and silver medals.
The “No Limits - Impossible is just a word” documentary is a 60-minute film that depicts part of the extraordinary motorsport adventures of Alex Zanardi, Bruno Spengler, and Timo Glock, but the real story is definitely revolving around Alex and his fantastic willpower.
In short, the three racers had to compete using a single car at Spa, so the BMW Z4 GT3 had to be modified to allow Alex's custom steering wheel.
Although the grueling 24-hour endurance race portrayed in the film took place in 2015, I won't spoil its ending, but the documentary also depicts what happened just four days after, when Alex won another gold medal at the Handcycle World Championship in Switzerland.
This said, I urge everyone who is feeling down about themselves for whatever reason to go watch this documentary because it will transform their lives. The trailer I have attached below is well made and emotional, but I promise you that the film itself will leave you speechless at certain moments.
You can watch the entire thing on Vimeo, where you can stream it for only six bucks and a half or download it for $11,50, which is way cheaper than a movie date. Vimeo and chill, anyone?
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