Munich/Cannes. The latest BMW Films production will
celebrate its world premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in
France. The short film “The Calm” will offer audiences an
enthralling dose of Hollywood action on board the new BMW i7 M70
xDrive (electric power consumption combined: 23.8 – 20.8 kWh/100 km in
the WLTP cycle). The fully electric range-topping model from the
Bavarian premium carmaker will host the most spectacular scenes in the
film, which has Pom Klementieff (Guardians of the Galaxy
series) and Uma Thurman (Kill Bill series) in the leading roles.
The premiere of “The Calm” sees BMW writing the next chapter
in the history of BMW Films productions. With Joseph Kosinski (Top
Gun: Maverick) taking executive producer credits and Sam
Hargrave (Marvel Cinematic Universe) in the director’s chair, the
seven-minute-long film also boasts the behind-the-camera star quality
with which fans of BMW Films will be familiar. But that’s not all: the
soundtrack for “The Calm” is the work of film score composer
Hans Zimmer, whose trophy cabinet includes two Academy Awards.
“To be able to be a part of BMW Films’ legacy of creative filmmaking
was an incredible opportunity,” said “The Calm’s” executive
producer, Joseph Kosinski. “What Sam Hargrave has put together with
Pom, Uma and the rest of the cast and crew is a perfect evolution of
what BMW Films has always strived to deliver to fans. We are honoured
to work with BMW for the return of this celebrated franchise.”
Spy thriller brings breathtaking action scenes to the rear of
the BMW i7 M70 xDrive.
In “The Calm”, Pom Klementieff and Uma Thurman play a pair
of secret agents who have been summoned separately to a meet point in
Cannes. But first, the duo have to fight off some mysterious
adversaries. Klementieff narrowly escapes a hijacking after an
action-packed tussle in the rear of the BMW i7 M70 xDrive. And later
she discovers that Thurman has had a similar altercation (off-screen)
in her hotel room, getting the better of two villains. The two
protagonists duly come together in the Hotel Martinez to piece
together the story behind their secret mission, which also has the
audience gripped by suspense.
“BMW Films is an integral part of BMW’s rich history within the world
of cinema,” said Jens Thiemer, Senior Vice President Customer &
Brand BMW. “With the debut of ‘The Calm’ at the 76th Cannes
Film Festival, we welcome back an important part of our legacy. The
creative and innovative nature of this short film showcases the
cutting-edge approach this series has taken since the beginning.
Bringing the franchise back in 2023 with two powerful female leads
feels especially poignant. And the fact that our fully electric
vehicles are at the sharp end of the world’s first ever completely
silent car chase sequence gives “The Calm” an additional relevance.”
“We’re thrilled for all film fans to experience ‘The Calm’”,
said Stefan Ponikva, Vice President Brand Communication and Brand
Experience BMW. “When we started out with this project, we knew we
were working within a set of high standards, and we’re proud to be
building on that tradition with this new and compelling storyline.
This is a comeback that will give us all a lot of pleasure, I am
convinced of that!”
Premiere of The Calm on the BMW Theatre Screen in the
BMW i7.
This is a world premiere with a twist: Not only was “The
Calm” filmed in a BMW i7 (among other locations), it will also be
shown for the first time exclusively in the rear of the all-electric
luxury sedan on 17 May 2023. Providing the requisite cinematic
experience is the BMW Theatre Screen. This 31.3.inch panoramic
display, which extends down from the headliner and spreads out
horizontally across virtually the full width of the interior, teams up
with the integrated Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System
with 36 speakers to bring an unparalleled entertainment offering to
the second row of seats. The Bavarian premium carmaker – which, as an
Official Partner of the film festival, is also laying on a shuttle
service of more than 200 electrified vehicles for the event – will
transform the luxury sedans into exclusive private cinema lounges in
Cannes, delivering a very special premiere experience.
“The Calm” is the latest instalment in the long history of
BMW Films productions. For example, “The Hire” – a series of
short films acclaimed by fans and critics alike – marked its place as
a maverick in the digital film space before social media platforms
existed. It was released exclusively online at BMWfilms.com and
generated over 100 million views in the days before the proliferation
of high-speed internet and YouTube. Most recently, “The Escape”
captivated audiences with a suspenseful storyline around themes
such as love, war, fear and death. And “The Calm” continues
very much in the tradition of the original BMW Films productions,
which have been directed by some of Hollywood’s best and brightest talents.
Movie fans will be able to enjoy the full-length version of “The
Calm” on the BMW YouTube
channel from 17 May 2023. Before then, a teaser for the film will
be released on BMW’s social media channels, offering a tantalising
preview of what’s to come.
BMW i7 M70 xDrive: Electric power consumption in
kWh/100 km combined: 23.8 – 20.8, WLTP.
