Grapevine: Villeneuve Movie Announced

Former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has agreed to support a feature film based on the life of himself and famous father Gilles, which is due to begin production next year.

The film, which will be called 'Villeneuve', is based on the the book "Villeneuve: The Life of the Legendary Driver" by journalist Gerald Donaldson. Villeneuve confirmed his backing for the project at a press conference held in his Newtown restaurant, in Montreal. The Canadian also told reporters why he has been reluctant to speak publicly about his father in previous years.

"When I started my career, it was difficult to talk about my father," said the Sauber driver. "I was getting a lot of attention from the media and public, but not because I had achieved anything.

"That was a bit embarrassing. People looked at me like they were seeing my father's ghost. I was very proud to be Gilles Villeneuve's son, but I wanted to achieve something myself."

The movie will be produced by Gabriella Martinelli and directed by Christian Duguay - the latter having directed before "The Art of War", starring Wesley Snipes; the Emmy Award-winning mini-series "Joan of Arc", starring Leelee Sobieski and Peter O'Toole; and the science fiction thriller "The Assignment", starring Aidan Quinn and Donald Sutherland.

"We all recognize the challenge of making a movie about auto racing," commented Martinelli. "But what sets this film apart is that it is a story of great human drama - of a father and a son.

"Gilles achieved greatness, but it was his son Jacques who fulfilled the Villeneuve legacy."