Riva per sempre, a history of achievements and innovation

1842 saw the birth of the boatyard that soon became a legend, establishing itself as an emblem of yachting and a symbol of elegance and innovation. Over 180 years of tradition, style and cutting-edge expertise masterfully told in “RIVA PER SEMPRE. A history of achievements and innovation”, a documentary written and directed by Francesca Molteni and Antonio Vettese and produced by Yacht Design, Boat Show Television and Muse Factory of Projects. The documentary premiered in Milan will be aired in prime time on Sky Art, on Tuesday July 16 at 9.15pm, and streamed on the NOW platform.

“RIVA PER SEMPRE” looks back over the highlights in the exciting history of Riva, the boatyard founded in 1842 on Lake Iseo by shipwright Pietro Riva and now an international icon of yachting and a symbol of Made in Italy excellence. The documentary explores the evolution of Riva, from the first fishing boats to the racing powerboats of the 1920s and ‘30s, and from the age of Italy’s la dolce vita to the industrial development promoted by Carlo Riva. It spans the period from the iconic Aquarama to the launch of the first Aquariva in the noughties and the return to superyachts with the Riva Superyachts Division, culminating in the brand’s grand 180th anniversary celebrations in
2022 and more recently the dual listing on the Hong Kong and Milan stock exchanges. “When passion takes shape it becomes a Riva: style, innovation and beauty,” said Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi. “Great stories are an experience handed down from generation to generation, and this extraordinary documentary tells us in moving words and images how to conquer the world with the power of a dream.”

The documentary set in the Sarnico and La Spezia shipyards, the Superyachts Division in Ancona, The Gritti Palace in Venice and the Riva Private Deck in Lezzeno on Lake Como is a celebration of Made in Italy excellence, of Carlo Riva’s grand entrepreneurial vision, and of all the people who have contributed to the brand’s prestige. With the help of archive footage and more recent images, Riva’s over 180 years of history are told in the words of Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi and Piero Ferrari, Ferrari Vice Chair and head of the Ferretti Group Strategic Product Committee. Period footage of Carlo Riva and stories told by artist Mimmo Paladino, actor Pierfrancesco Favino and designers Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta of Officina Italiana Design are interwoven with interviews with the production managers of the La Spezia and Sarnico shipyards, and analysis by Elena Dellapiana, lecturer at Politecnico di Torino, and journalist Antonio Vettese.