The BMW film series “The Hire” is a series of short films produced for the internet in the early 2000s.
These shorts were directed by popular filmmakers, including Guy Ritchie, John Frankenheimer, Ridley Scott and John Woo. They feature Clive Owen as “the Driver”, and performances from Madonna, James Brown, Micky Rourke, Gary Oldman and Dakota Fanning amongst many, many others. The cinematography is outstanding and the soundtracks are pretty good, too.
In 2001 BMW commissioned some of the world’s most popular directors to make a set of short films featuring their cars. The continuing story line is about “The Driver”, played by Clive Owen, who narrates the films. This one, the first of the series, was directed by John Frankenheimer.
Continuing the BMW short film series, “The Hire”. This second film in the series was directed by Ang Lee. This has some of the highest critical acclaim of all the films in the series. It is wonderful short film.
Continuing the BMW short film series, “The Hire”. This, the third film in the series was directed by Wong Kar-Wei.
Continuing the BMW short film series, “The Hire”. This, the fourth film in the series was directed by Guy Ritchie.
Continuing the BMW short film series, “The Hire”. This, the fifth and final film in the first series was directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu.
This is the first film in the second series of “The Hire”. It is directed by John Woo.
This is the second film in the second series of BMW’s “The Hire” short films. It is directed by Joe Carnahan and features F Murray Abraham.
This is the third and last film in the second series of BMW’s “The Hire” short films. This was directed by Tony and Ridley Scott. Not only do we get James Brown, but we get Gary Oldham, and a cameo from Marilyn Manson.
After a fifteen year hiatus from films, BMW posted this on the internet. It is either the first film in a third series, or the last of the films. It is a bit longer and more complex than the earlier films. It is directed by Neil Blomkamp.