BMW Films presents "The Hire", a series of nine short films produced for the Internet in 2001 and 2002, with a ninth short film following in 2016. A form of branded content, all nine short films feature popular filmmakers from across the globe, star Clive Owen as the "Driver", and highlight the performance aspects of various BMW automobiles.
The Driver
As part of the BMW short film series, behind the scene specials were released - these include an insight into the driving techniques and stunt work, and a making of along with B-roll, which shows the production process and features interviews with cast and crew.
6 episodes
BMW M3 racecar driver Bill Auberlen provides a behind the scenes look at the stunts employed in the BMW short films and explains driving techniques necessary for a safe shoot.
Runtime: 5 minMaking of season 1 with a look at the expert drivers, the custom camera equipment, and the production work involved to set up the season's biggest stunts.
Runtime: 5 minMaking of season 2 with a look at the expert drivers, the custom camera equipment, and the production work involved to set up the season's biggest stunts.
Runtime: 6 minMaking of the short film "Hostage" from season 2.
Runtime: 6 minMaking of the short film "Ticker" from season 2.
Runtime: 6 minMaking of the short film "Beat the Devil" from season 2.
Runtime: 8 minThis season includes the short films Ambush, Chosen, The Follow, Star, and Powder Keg.
5 episodes
On a dark freeway, a van swerves close to the driver and the door slides open. From inside, masked gunmen threaten to fire unless the driver stops and surrenders his passenger, a seemingly harmless man they accuse of smuggling diamonds. It's a simple choice: do or die.
Runtime: 10 minThe driver meets a ship carrying an eight-year-old Tibetan boy at a dark, deserted New York shipyard. But he's not the only one waiting.
Runtime: 10 minThe driver is hired by a nervous movie agent to spy on a paranoid actor's wife. During his tailing of the wife, the driver describes the right way to tail someone. As he follows her, he begins to fear what he might learn of her apparently tragic life. He discovers the wife is fleeing the country and returning to her mother's, and that she's been given a black eye, likely by her husband. He returns the money for the job, refusing to tell where the wife is, and drives off telling the agent never to call him again.
Runtime: 10 minThe driver faces perhaps his most perplexing challenge: Coming face-to-face with a hugely talented and successful rock star. But beneath her beauty lies a problem: she always gets what she wants.
Runtime: 10 minSoldiers patrol fields and rural villages. Their mission: find a photojournalist who has snapped a picture certain to unite the world against their leader. Alejandro González Iñárritu directs Clive Owen as the photographer's driver and sole hope of getting him and his film beyond the strongly guarded border.
Runtime: 10 minThis season includes the short films Hostage, Ticker, and Beat the Devil.
3 episodes
The driver races to locate a kidnapped victim locked in the trunk of an abandoned car somewhere on the water's edge. Linked to her only by cell phone, the driver narrows in on her location in a desperate race against time and tide.
Runtime: 10 minThe driver rescues a mysterious messenger carrying an even more mysterious briefcase after an ambush on a rural highway. As a helicopter gunman relentlessly pursues them, a game of political intrigue plays out, with an unforeseen ending.
Runtime: 10 minDecades ago, the legendary James Brown sold his soul to the devil for fame and fortune. Now he wishes to renegotiate. Hired to take Mr. Brown to a rendezvous with the devil, the driver soon finds himself entangled in fiendish plans.
Runtime: 10 minBMW Films has resurrected the series 15 years after the original production wrapped, with Clive Owen returning to reprise his role as the driver in the short film "The Escape".
1 episodes
BMW Films: The Hire - Season 2 Trailer
BMW Films: The Hire - The Follow Trailer