The feature documentary Speed is Expensive, directed and co-produced by David Lancaster, Senior Lecturer in the School of Media and Communication at the University of Westminster, has won two awards at the recent Toronto Motorcycle Film and Art Festival.
The film, which is narrated by Ewan McGregor, picked up the award for Best Feature Film at the festival as well as the People’s Choice Award, voted for by the festival’s audience. It tells the personal story of Philip Vincent - a maverick motorcycle designer, who built the world's fastest and most glamorous motorcycles but ended his days in poverty.
Earlier in the year, the documentary was awarded the Audience Award at the Barnes Film Festival in London.
Lancaster said: “It is an honour to be awarded these recognitions for our film, and a credit to all who worked on it.
“It was quite a struggle finishing the film with COVID restrictions in place. Luckily, we completed our main shoots in France, the USA and Australia just before [the] lockdown. We then recorded Ewan's narration and began editing. We're now talking about bringing the film to a wider audience and entering more film festivals around the world.”
David on stage discussing the documentary
David's awards from the Toronto Motorcycle Film and Art Festival
Speed is Expensive features interviews with the friends and family of Philip Vincent, as well as fans of the motorcycles he helped create, such as US chat show host Jay Leno and former The Clash bass player Paul Simonon.
More information, including the official trailer, is available on the film’s website.
Find out more about Media and Communications courses at the University of Westminster.
