Apple rolled out the red carpet for its latest cinematic offering, F1, with an exclusive screening at the iconic Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, drawing fans eager to see the tire-squealing action unfold onscreen.
Inside the F1 Experience
This Apple TV+ original film delves into the riveting comeback story of Sonny Hayes, a retired Formula 1 driver making his return to the track 30 years later to lend a hand to a friend’s floundering team. The screening was followed by an interactive Q&A session, where attendees caught glimpses of the team’s creative journey as shared by Brad Pitt, the film’s star, as well as Lewis Hamilton, the celebrated Formula One World Champion who also served as a producer, among other key figures.
The Q&A Line-Up
Hosted by Rochelle Rose, SAG-AFTRA National Director of Performers Programs, the Q&A peeled back the layers on the film’s character arcs, breakthrough technology, and Hamilton’s pivotal influence. Praise flowed freely among the team, highlighting how collaboration fostered the impressive artistry seen in the movie.
“This whole thing really started with me reaching out to the guy next to me, Lewis Hamilton,” Kosinski recalled, noting Hamilton as the “secret ingredient” that made the magic happen.
Joseph Kosinski, Director
Hamilton himself was thrilled about his role, sharing, “I’ve always dreamed of one day having some part in a movie.” He teased the possibility of the film’s advanced camera technology being absorbed into Formula 1’s live broadcasts due to its exceptional quality.
Technological Feats and On-Track Thrills
Director Joseph Kosinski revealed the formidable challenge the team faced with camera development: “The cameras to shoot this film did not exist when we started.” Aided by Apple and Sony, they crafted intricate custom cameras to deliver stunning 4K visuals from within the race cars themselves, showcasing the raw excitement of Formula One with unprecedented clarity.
The team captured more than 5,000 hours of footage across various real-life races, amplifying the film’s realism. Actors Brad Pitt and Damson Idris took the wheel for scenes filmed alongside actual F1 drivers, weaving their performances seamlessly into the thrill of live racing events.
“When you watch this movie and you see Brad and Damson in the cars, they’re actually driving these cars,” affirmed producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
A Transformative Journey for Cast and Crew
Preparing for high-stakes scenes, both Pitt and Idris underwent exhaustive training, even participating in the British Grand Prix’s formation lap. Idris recalled a particularly fiery crash scene preparation, immersed in realism by consulting with real drivers.
“I was in the fire for real, by the way,” Idris emphasized, acknowledging the genuine intensity of the shoot. He appreciated Pitt’s influence, crediting the veteran actor for boosting confidence and aiding in portraying his character, Joshua Pearse.
For Sarah Niles, who portrayed Bernadette, Pearse’s mother, a spirit of collaboration lent depth to her character’s emotional scenes. “The openness that Joe had in giving me the space to create Bernadette was extremely important,” she noted, applauding Kosinski’s directorial approach.
“It’s a redemption story. We’ve all had times when we’ve had to pick ourselves back up. I think that’s something that appeals to everybody,” Pitt said, reflecting on the film’s universal themes.
Reporting based on the original article; quotes reproduced verbatim.
