| Bummer | |
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Bummer film poster |
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| Directed by | Pyotr Buslov |
| Produced by | Sergei Chliyants |
| Written by | Pyotr Buslov Denis Rodimin |
| Starring | Vladimir Vdovichenkov Andrei Merzlikin |
| Release date(s) | 2 August 2003 (Russia) |
| Running time | 110 min. |
| Language | Russian |
| Budget | US$700,000 |
Bimmer (Russian title: Бумер (pronounced Boo-me-r) is a 2003 road movie directed by Pyotr Buslov. The plot is about four people who get into trouble with the law and have to leave the city using a black BMW (the eponymous "Bummer").
Corrupt cops, street gangs, "Bratki" in "Bummers" (BMWs) steal and "Merins" (Mercedeses), angry truck drivers, beautiful women and death are what four friends in a black Bummer who go on a mission from one region of Russia to another are about to face in the wasteland of small-town Russia. A critique of the policies of Boris Yeltsin, it depicted the economic crisis that followed Russia's transition towards a free market economy, and with it, a lost generation, with no job security, who are pushed into a world of crime and rebellion. Despite a modest budget of US$700,000, and a limited cinematic release, it became a national hit in Russia as well its soundtrack, popularized by 'Seryoga's' (Серёга) music video "Чёрный Бумер" ("Black Bummer"). Both the film and its soundtrack have won awards, including the prestigious Golden Aries from the Russian Guild of Film critics.
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Two thieves, Dimon and Petya easily steal a black BMW 750 (BMW E38), and drive it to a chop shop. When they arrive, they decide to keep the BMW and have their mechanic forge new plates and serial numbers for the engine. While driving from the chop shop, a cop pulls them over and takes them to the station, where they pay a $1,000 bribe and are released. Kostya goes home to his devoted wife Nastya, who is sick of Kostya’s criminal lifestyle, and wants to leave Russia (in favour of France) for good.
Just when the couple are about to argue about emigrating again, Kostya’s cell phone rings (this movie ringtone later became a pop hit song) with a frantic call from his brother Dimon. Dimon had been driving all over the road in his white Mercedes when he nearly collided with a group of "skyless" gangsters. These heavies forced him to pull over, beat him up, and stole his car. Dimon needs Kostya and the other "brothers" help to get his car back. Lyokha and Petya track down the gang that stole their friend's car, and they barge into the gangsters' offices. When the gangsters start trading insults and threats, Lyokha pulls a pistol and shoots a man dead. The men then have to go on the run from both the mob and the police, meanwhile encountering the harsh reality of post-Soviet Russia's countryside.
At the beginning of movie 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. [1]
Some scenes of the film were filmed in the town of Zvenigorod.
The musical theme of the film is one of the protagonists' ringtones.
In 2006, a sequel, Bummer: Film Vtoroy, and computer game, titled Bummer: Torn Towers, were released.
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