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Hollywood, Calif., October 24, 2006 – He’s a former fighter pilot who wanted to tell a story. And while the story isn’t what he first thought, he says it’s even better.
It’s called Speed and Angels, a documentary about two Navy officers chasing their dreams to become fighter pilots. The film, now in post-production, follows them during the most dangerous parts of their training and as they go to war, where the realities of being a fighter pilot test their limits.
Producer and screenwriter Francesco (Paco) Chierici said he felt compelled to tell the story of naval aviators more accurately than had been portrayed in past movies. It was a story he knew personally since in 1997 Chierici joined the Navy Reserve squadron The Fighting Saints of VFC-13, the only fighter pilots in the world who teach dogfighting.
“The things I loved about being in the Navy were the people and flying,” he says. “There will never again be flying like that for me, nor a group of people like that. Top Gun was a fun movie, but it was not accurate in portraying who we are and what we do.”
Pairing up with Director Peyton Wilson, the documentary started to evolve when Wilson was interviewing some of the students the Fighting Saints train, Chierici says. “She was struck by their energy and vibrancy. The more she dug into them the more she realized they had an amazing story to tell — the story about being in the Navy, being dedicated to this profession, and so much more …”
The film mainly follows two fighter pilots, Jay and Meagan, both who had challenges to overcome. “Their courage, dedication and passion are the highlight of the film for me, especially in the dogfight and aircraft carrier scenes,” Chierici says. But it also shows “the emotional journey” of training and becoming a fighter pilot. “They’re both very different adventures, but representative of what can happen.”
The film didn’t end up where Chierici thought it would when they began more than two years ago. But he acknowledges it is a better film because of that. “The film is really a chronicler of what happens in their lives. This is a story of two young people who set out to achieve their dreams and what happens to them.”
Chierici himself understands that dream. “As far back as I can remember, I imagined myself in the air. I don’t remember a lightning bolt hitting me about flying in the Navy, but it was always part of the fabric of who I was.”
While the film is about Navy fighter pilots, the greater message isn’t military or aviation specific, Chierici says. “It’s young people who find what they’re looking for in life and who are dedicated to achieving it. Whether you’re into sports, arts or whatever, the passion and desire to get to that spot is still the same.”
Chierici’s military career at a glance
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Speed and Angels is the true-life story and feature-length action documentary about two Navy officers chasing their dreams to become fighter pilots.
Based on the original concept of producer F.A. Chierici, “Speed and Angels” is produced by Peyton Wilson.
Check out film videos and trailers at the “Speed and Angels” Web site for a sneak peak.
For More Information
Speed and Angels
The Fighting Saints of VFC-13
Top Gun
Peyton Wilson
F-5 Tiger II
Naval Air Station
Operation Southern Watch
Navy Achievement Medal
Speed and Angels Movie Trailer
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