U.S. film financier Grandave Capital will invest in the documentary “Romano Artioli – The Last Great Dreamer,” about the one-time owner of the Bugatti and Lotus automobile brands, Romano Artioli.

In 1952, Artioli, a 20-year-old technician in Italy watched in astonishment as Bugatti ceased production in Molsheim, France. Artioli studied mechanical engineering and went on to repair cars, before eventually setting up an automotive retail and import business. By the mid-1980s, this business became so successful that Artioli was able to begin discussions with the French government about buying the Bugatti brand. In 1987, his dream became a reality.

Related Stories

concert crowd and stock arrow VIP+

New Live Music Data Suggests Cautious Optimism

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 10: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This image was sent with an alternate crop.) Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris debate for the first time during the presidential election campaign at The National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After earning the Democratic Party nomination following President Joe Biden's decision to leave the race, Harris faced off with Trump in what may be the only debate of the 2024 race for the White House. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Head of FCC Rejects Donald Trump's Call to Revoke ABC Broadcast License

The documentary showcases Artioli and his passion for beauty and sportscars leading him to revive Bugatti and also relaunch Lotus, building iconic cars. As visionaries in automotive were replaced by white collar managers who tried to cut him out, Artioli managed to react swiftly, pushing through his ambitious vision.

Popular on Variety

Grandave Capital described it as “the true story of a man who reached the Olympus of the automotive industry through the power of his vision.”

“Romano Artioli – The Last Great Dreamer” was written, directed, and produced by Thomas Perathoner (“4 Hunters,” “Das Kuckucksnest”) of 44 Production, with Harald Erschbaumer (“Pluto,” “Resina”) as cinematographer.

The documentary, currently in post-production, was filmed in Italy, France, Monte-Carlo and U.K. It will be in German, Italian and English.

The film will be released in two versions: a 60-minute version is available now with Italian and German as original languages, and a 90-minute version is available in the second quarter of this year, which will add English as an original language.

Grandave Capital is spearheaded by CEO and founder Ruben Islas, and Stanley Preschutti, its president. The company’s past entertainment investments include Omar Chaparro’s “7th & Union,” Mel Gibson’s “Panama” and Paul Shrader’s “The Card Counter.”

Read More About:

Jump to Comments

More from Variety

Most Popular

Must Read

Sign Up for Variety Newsletters

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Variety Confidential

A Variety and iHeartRadio Podcast

ncG1vNJzZmiukae2psDYZ5qopV9nfXN%2Fjp%2BgpaVfnLmwrsClZputl5bBtbWMq6ammZ6keqK%2B06KmpaFdqbWmecuaqq1ll6eyosCMnamemZ2av26z0ZqlnZmmmnqkrc%2Biq5qkXWZ%2FdIGUbGxqaGdk