“…This is one road safety film you can’t miss…” Stephen McKeever examines the European road-safety campaign engaging college campuses around Europe.
Recently, four selected countries from France, Italy, Slovenia and Ireland were chosen to partake in a European Road Safety movie project entitled “Young Europe”, produced by Showbiz Inc, and directed by Matteo Vicino, film maker and director from Italy. Among the colleges chosen, was Letterkenny Institute of Technology in Co. Donegal. I was at the exclusive premiere of the film, and I found it to be Ireland’s answer to those really awful road safety videos you see in primary school that has a guy just feeding you information with bullet points. This film not only targets issues about road safety, but other factors such as drugs, alcohol, lust, and defiance that may influence the chances of a road accident. The way that this message is condoned in this film is simply ingenious, and completely attractive to a younger audience. It is filmed in English, Italian and French, with English subtitles for UK / Irish audiences.
The film features three different stories being told at the same time, in different settings, with different protagonists, each story tackling a wide range of topics and issues teenagers come into contact with during their lives. In Ireland, Mark Griffin and Catriona Loughlin star as Julian and Sarah, a young couple that begin falling in love, and face many obstacles along the way, including a love triangle between the Spanish Reading lecture Julian has the hots for, and the girl he loves. In France, Victoria Oberli plays as young renegade Josephine, an uptight sarcastic and bratty teen who’s life revolves around music, Facebook, and going out on the lash, yet has a heart for people in need. In Italy, Maria Luisa De Crescenzo stars as young heartthrob Annalisa, who she and her companion befriend a lonely millionare, played by Riccardo Leonelli, with unforseen consequences. All three characters go through a huge amount of ordeal building up to a tragedy.
The three stories intertwine with each other throughout the whole film, giving us, the viewers, an outlook of the three protagonists simultaneously, and is done so with great effect. There is not a moment in this film without feeling, be it happy or sad, whether its the hilarious dialogue or the chilling scenes of young people going out of control. It also gives us an outlook to how much the garda, and the ambulance services are doing to save lives on Irish roads. The fantastic soundtrack accompanied by the movie, with a collection of old favourite rock songs, classic, indie and original material does justice, and all actors, including the students of LYIT performed beautifully, especially the guest stars and newcomers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, not because it was filmed in Ireland, or because I was part of the crowd scenes, but because of the message this sends to young people, and the little advice tips given throughout the movie, based on choice, luck, and other factors.
The film was scripted very well, and with a great and heartfelt storyline. The film will be used in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority, and shown to secondary schools all over Europe, including Ireland. The movie is based on real life statistics related to road deaths and accidents, compiled by ICARUS, the road safety initiative that began in 2008 and is managed by the traffic police over 14 different countries in conjuction with the University of Rome. For more information about Young Europe, please check out http://www.youngeuropemovie.com for screencasts and set shots. Hopefully, a DVD release of the film will be announced soon.
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