(October 21, 2016) WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J .— BMW Films presents “The Escape” exclusively on BMWFilms.com. at 6 p.m. EST on Sunday. From Academy Award-nominated director Neill Blomkamp (“District 9,” “Elysium”), the action-packed short film features original BMW Films star and Oscar-nominated actor Clive Owen (“Closer,” “Children of Men”) who reprises his role as The Driver, 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”). 

The all-new BMW 5 Series sedan serves as Owen’s vehicle of choice and co-star.
 
“The Escape” is an homage to the 15th anniversary of the critically acclaimed original series, “The Hire,” which included eight short films released in two seasons from 2001-2002.  Each of the original BMW Films were directed by some of Hollywood’s best and brightest talent and featured then rising-star Owen as the mysterious Driver hired to complete various missions.
 
“When we commissioned ‘The Escape,’ our only direction was that the story remain of utmost importance — and that it should live up to the standards set by ‘The Hire,’” said Hildegard Wortmann, Senior Vice President, Brand BMW.  “Neill, Clive and the entire cast did a tremendous job and we are confident that ‘The Escape’ not only meets that standard, but sets a new one.”
 
Along with Owen, BMW brought back 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 Escape” alongside Blomkamp. The trio then brought together a group of producers and designers to bring the short film to life. “The Escape” is also executive produced by the original BMW Films' creators, Anonymous Content’s Steve Golin and Eric Stern.