BMW Films has brought online The Escape, a new BMW short film from Academy Award-nominated director Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium) featuring original BMW Films star and Oscar-nominated actor Clive Owen (Closer, Children of Men), who reprises his role as The Driver. Presented as an homage to the 15th anniversary of the original BMW Film series, The Escape also stars Dakota Fanning (War of the Worlds, I am Sam), Jon Bernthal (The Punisher, Daredevil) and Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga (The Departed, Up in the Air).
In addition to the new BMW short film, there are two behind the scenes videos that take a look at the production. Check them out below as well!
The critically acclaimed original series, “The Hire,” included eight BMW short films which were released in two seasons from 2001-2002. Each film featured then rising-star Owen as the mysterious Driver hired to complete various missions and was directed by some of Hollywood’s best and brightest talent.
BMW not only brought back Owen for The Escape, but also Bruce Bildsten as Creative Director, Brian DiLorenzo as Executive Producer and David Carter, who in addition to serving as a creative consultant, co-wrote the film alongside Blomkamp. The trio then brought together a group of producers and designers to bring the film to life.
With The Escape, Blomkamp joins the A-list stable of original BMW Films directors from the seminal project including Academy Award winners Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Ang Lee; Joe Carnahan, Wong Kar-wai, Guy Ritchie, John Woo and the late John Frankenheimer and Tony Scott. “The Hire” also featured A-list talent in front of the camera including: Gary Oldman, Stellan Skarsgård, Forest Whitaker, Mickey Rourke, James Brown, Don Cheadle, Madonna, Adriana Lima, Danny Trejo, Kathryn Morris, Marilyn Manson, Ray Liotta, Robert Patrick and Dennis Haysbert.
“The Hire” was released exclusively online at BMWFilms.com and received more than 100 million views prior to the proliferation of high-speed internet connectivity and introduction of YouTube.
What do you think of this latest BMW short film? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
