Riva’s 180th anniversary tells the story of a wonderful adventure of style and elegance that has raised boatbuilding to the level of art. Such a glamorous and radiant celebratory gala could only be held in an equally grandiose venue, the Gran Teatro La Fenice in Venice.
Ferretti Group invited owners and international guests for an exclusive event with a highly atmospheric show that celebrates the story of the first 180 years of the yacht world’s most famous brand.
‘This was the night of Riva’s 180th anniversary and of a thousand emotions for enthusiasts of the brand and its unique boats,’ said Alberto Galassi, Ferretti Group CEO. ‘We chose Venice and La Fenice because they are unique places in the world and, like us, they live in magical harmony with the water, art and beauty. My thanks go to David Beckham, Pierfrancesco Favino and Charles Leclerc, who have shown their friendship towards Riva by contributing to a spectacular short film, one of those miracles that happen when champions are involved. I am also honored to introduce to the world the ‘Anniversario’, an iconic new boat, for very few lucky owners, and another masterpiece of outstanding elegance. Best wishes to Riva as it starts to write boating history for the next 180 years.’
The excitement began before the event started, when a floating platform moored on Venice’s Grand Canal, in front of the Riva Lounge at the Gritti Palace, provided a unique stage for the unveiling of the new Riva ‘Anniversario’, the special limited edition boat created to mark this iconic anniversary and also to pay tribute to the Aquarama on its 60th birthday, a masterpiece of timeless design featured in a fine art book published for the occasion by Assouline.
The Gala night was the occasion for the world premiere of ‘Riva The Persuaders!’ A highly engaging short film with three stars involved in an adventure on the road and on the waves. Co-starring Riva and Ferretti Group boats.
People who saw the world premiere at the Gran Teatro La Fenice in Venice say it’s not to be missed. But then, Pierfrancesco Favino, David Beckham and Charles Leclerc alone would be enough for it to classify as an extraordinary project.
Inspired by the cult TV series ‘The Persuaders!’ (in Italy ‘Attenti a quei due’), the film was made over the past few weeks on the coastline around the border between Italy and the Côte d’Azur. The hugely famous protagonists are Pierfrancesco Favino, the most important Italian actor, who was also in the Riva brand’s first short film (‘Riva in the Movie’), the international football star David Beckham, an icon of British style and one of the most followed celebrities in the world and Charles Leclerc, an outstanding Scuderia Ferrari team racing driver idolised by Formula 1 fans.
Together with the three celebrities, the stars of the film are the magnificent boats built by the storied Riva yard, which is celebrating its 180th anniversary this year, as well as a dazzling Ferrari and an incredible vintage Maserati.
‘Riva The Persuaders!’ was shot on the Côte d’Azur and in Monte Carlo, where Pierfrancesco Favino aboard a magnificent Riva 56’ Rivale races with David Beckham’s Riva 68’ Diable and Charles Leclerc aboard a Riva Rivamare. The action and movements are those of an adrenaline-pumping film featuring chases on both land and sea.
As in the case of Riva’s previous short film, the director was Federico Brugia, with production by Armando Testa Studios, in the Armando Testa Group.
Photo & video Riva
