Joseph Kosinski: “With F1, you have never experienced something like cinema before”

At the wheel of the F1 project, the director of Top Gun: Maverick promises to take us on a high -speed experience. Brad Pitt plays the main role of a seasoned pilot and Lewis Hamilton remains at the stand as an expert producer. During a press conference we learned a little more about this racing car which has just unveiled a new quick and furious trailer.

In the fourth speed

As soon as he got off from his plane, here he is starting to flock on the asphalt … after having propelled the spectators in the cockpit of an F-18 with Top Gun: Maverick,, Joseph Kosinski is preparing to put us on the wheel of sacred racing cars. With F1the filmmaker intends to make us feel the intensity and adrenaline of Formula 1.

It was during the confinement that the filmmaker would have decided to change means of transport. After discovering the series “Drive to survive”, he embarked on this adventure with a clear goal: to create “The most authentic race experience that you will have ever experienced in a movie theater“.

And it is not even he who provides this after-sales service, it is his very special producer Lewis Hamilton in person. In an introductory video, the legend of F1 praised the merits of the summer blockbuster which could well leave traces of tires in cinemas …

Tuesday evening, during a press conference, Kosinski therefore returned to this extraordinary project which is revealed a little more in a new trailer foot on the floor. During this virtual raout there was mainly question of technologies, star. And Bagnoles, necessarily. Because to capture the essence of F1, Kosinski started by saying that he had bet everything on authenticity.

“”We bought six F2 cars, real racing cars, and we worked with Mercedes AMG and their engineers to build real racing cars capable of boarding our camera equipment“, Confided the director. A technical feat which should allow spectators to be as close as possible to the action when Brad Pitt and Damson Idris Drive (for real) these racing cars on real F1 circuits.

The camera system developed for the film also represents a considerable advance compared to that used on Top Gun: Maverick. “”We had to develop a whole new system of cameras by taking up everything we had learned about Top Gun“, explained Kosinski.”You can’t put 27 kilos of equipment on a racing car and expect it to performe in the same way. “

A pilot is not

But there is not only mechanics in F1. There are also stars. And one in particular. If Maverick was Cruise’s film, F1 will be Brad’s. In the role of Sonny Hayes, a veteran of the circuit in search of redemption, the actor impressed until the seven -time world champion Lewis Hamilton by its natural pilot skills (“He amazed me ! “).”What Lewis discovered is that Brad had natural capacities from the start“, adds Kosinski.”I don’t know where it comes from or if he was born with. But he drives motorcycles, which probably has something to do with that. That said, we all realized that he was a very talented driver, naturally gifted.“”

Nevertheless: training to prepare the actors to drive these cars required months of preparation. “”When you see Brad driving, it’s not acting. He really concentrates to keep this car on the track and avoid the walls during all these scenes“, insists the director.

Realism question, Kosinski also explains that he has shot F1 During real weekends of Grand Prix, with the crowds and the electrical atmosphere of the races:

“”We could not just turn on the circuit without the race taking place. The dynamics would have been altered. We were therefore present at the race weekend, with hundreds of thousands of people who looked at us, by finding slots between the tests and the qualifications that Formula 1 granted us.“”

This unique filming method has created additional pressure on the team and the actors. “”It was like a live theater show, but in front of hundreds of thousands of people, turning at 290 km/h, literally“. An adrenaline who, according to Kosinski, necessarily nourished the performances of the actors, aware that they had few tests to succeed in their scenes.

The shooting also took place on several emblematic circuits, each bringing an atmosphere and a particular coloring to the film.

“”Each race has its own character. Each weekend is very different. Silverstone, which is the cradle of Formula 1, where it all started, compared to SPA, which is this incredible circuit that winds through the forest, to Las Vegas, which is completely different. We finish the film in Abu Dhabi, which is this incredible circuit, a spectacular way of finishing the film. “

If the technical and spectacular aspect of the film is highlighted, Kosinski also insists on the importance of history and characters. “”I was aware that it is useless that the races are precise or exciting, if behind you do not tell a story supported by great characters“. F1 It is not content to stage the adrenaline of the races: the film should also explore human relations within the teams.

“”This story has everything“, Kosinski excites in the middle of the virtual press conference.”She has tension, action, but at the same time, there is heart, especially through the history of Sonny Hayes and the redemption he undertakes. There is humor, a little romance, in short the essential elements to tell a rich and complete story“.

The duo formed by Brad Pitt and Javier Bardemwhich embodies a friendly friendship of three decades, constitutes the soul of the film. By their side, Kerry Condon Play the technical director of the team, creating a healthy and necessary tension with the pilots. Damson Idris, less known in the cinema than on television, should also win stripes while holding head at Brad Pitt.

Despite his anchoring in the world of Formula 1, Kosinski has finished to reassure everyone: his film is addressed to everyone, fans like neophytes.

“It is a film on friendship, teamwork, sacrifice, redemption. The story is universal, it takes place simply in this incredibly exciting world of F1. If you are a fan of Formula 1, I think you will love this film. If you do not know anything about Formula 1, I think you will love this film. And who knows, you could go out with the desire to watch some races.”

With a soundtrack signed Hans Zimmer, which “wrote a theme that you will not be able to get out of your head” F1 promises to be the cardboard of summer. And it is Lewis Hamilton who summarizes him best: “This film has everything. Brad Pitt, speed, thrills, a story of outsider, drama, humor and a little romance. “

Many should be in the stands.