Bimmer (film)
Bummer | |
---|---|
Directed by | Peter Buslov |
Written by | Peter Buslov Denis Rodimin |
Produced by | Sergei Chliyants |
Starring | Vladimir Vdovichenkov Andrei Merzlikin |
Release date | 2 August 2003 (Russia) |
Running time | 110 min. |
Language | Russian |
Budget | US$700,000 |
Бумер (Russian: Бумер, IPA: [ˈbumʲɪr]) is a 2003 Russian road movie directed by Peter Buslov, written by Peter Buslov and Denis Rodimin. The plot revolves around four friends who get into trouble with the law and flee Moscow in a black BMW (the eponymous "Бумер").
As the men drive across the Russian expanse, they encounter corruption, violence, poverty, and various situations characterizing the bleakness and challenges of small-town life in post-Soviet Russia. Considered to be not only an action film, but also a critique of the policies of Boris Yeltsin, Bummer depicts the economic crisis that followed Russia's sudden transition to a free market economy, and with it, a lost generation of men who grow up in a world ruled by criminal gangs and corrupt law enforcement. Despite a modest budget of US$700,000, and a limited cinematic release, Bummer became a national hit in Russia, noted both for its cinematic quality and its soundtrack, which was popularized by Seryoga's (Серёга) music video "Чёрный Бумер" ("Black Бумер"). Both the film and its soundtrack have won awards, including the Golden Aries from the Russian Guild of Film Critics.[1]
Development
At the beginning of the film, it can be seen that the BMW which is being stolen belongs to a Latvian or that the scene is actually meant to happen in Latvia, since the car has improvised 'LV' car license-plates on it. An alternative explanation is that the car was not legally imported into Russia and was being driven with Latvian plates to avoid customs duties.
Some scenes of the film were filmed in the town of Zvenigorod.
The musical theme of the film is the ringtone of Kostya's cell phone.
Sequel
In 2006 was released a sequel, Bummer: Film Vtoroy, Directed by Peter Buslov and written by Kim Belov, Peter Buslov, Denis Rodimin and Ivan Vyrypaev The film proved to be commercially successful, taking in nearly US$14,000,000 at the box office, even though it didn't have the same positive reviews as the first one. In the same year was released a computer game, titled Bummer: Torn Towers.