MOVIE | 'End of Watch': A New Frontier in Police Action
MOVIE | Witness the Moment Serious Crimes Occur with Zero-Distance Realism
A New Frontier in Police Action: 'End of Watch'
Directed, written, and produced by the maverick David Ayer. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal. 'End of Watch,' a police action film depicting the near-death daily lives and deep camaraderie of LAPD patrol officers, will be released nationwide on Saturday, August 17th.
Text by KUROMIYA Yuzu
Depicting the Unseen World of Uniformed Officers
Los Angeles' crime frontline, captured through the lenses of digital cameras held by officers and gangsters, and dashboard cameras in patrol cars – always observed by four cameras. 'End of Watch' overwhelms viewers with its intense reality and unprecedented sense of presence.
The director, writer, and producer is David Ayer, a native of South Central. With raw dialogue between officers and gangsters, dynamic camerawork, and full cooperation and supervision from the LAPD, the film highlights the unvarnished daily lives of crime-ridden L.A. and the strong bond between uniformed officers who would risk their lives for their partners.
As the white officer Taylor, we see the young, acclaimed actor Jake Gyllenhaal, who also served as executive producer. Michael Peña plays the Mexican-American officer Zavala. Anna Kendrick appears as Taylor's girlfriend, and Natalie Martinez as Zavala's wife.
To prepare for their roles as a police duo, the two leads accompanied LAPD officers for five months before filming began. They underwent practical training, immersing themselves in the mindset and behavior of patrol officers before stepping onto set. Filming took place near the Newton Police Station, an area with one of the highest crime rates in the U.S. Jaime Fitzsimons, who served 15 years as a patrol officer with the LAPD from the project's early stages, participated as an advisor. He even made an appearance as a police chief.
South Central: The World's Most Dangerous Neighborhood
Los Angeles, the 'City of Angels.' Within it lies South Central, a district plagued by constant conflict between Black and Hispanic gangs, and a hotbed of serious crime. Taylor, a white officer, and Zavala, a Mexican-American officer, are assigned to the Newton district, one of the most dangerous areas, and are a top-performing duo within the department. One day, responding to a call during patrol, they raid a house and stumble upon a secret of the Mexican drug cartel they were never meant to see. Marked for assassination by the organization, Taylor and Zavala are ambushed by Hispanic gangsters lying in wait. Dodging bullets, the two launch a desperate counterattack...—.
This is the birth of a new kind of police action film, capturing the unvarnished courage and honor of nameless officers risking their lives to protect L.A., their love and compassion for their families, all with a level of realism and immersive direction that makes you feel as if you're on the scene.
'End of Watch'
Nationwide Theatrical Release Starting Saturday, August 17th
Written, Directed, Produced by | David Ayer
Starring | Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, Natalie Martinez
Presented and Distributed by | Presidio
Cooperation | Shochiku
2012 / USA / 109 min / End of Watch / PG-12
www.eow-movie.jp
©2012 SOLE PRODUCTIONS, LLC AND HEDGE FUND FILM PARTNERS, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED