Emily Watson Joins ‘The Drive,’ Inspired by JFK Assassination, as Exec Producer (EXCLUSIVE)

Two-time Oscar nominee Emily Watson has joined the Oscar-qualified short film “The Drive” as executive producer, lending her support to husband-and-wife filmmaking team David Arrow and Amber Paul as the film enters awards season. Set on a warm November afternoon in the early 1960s, “The Drive” is inspired by a little-known episode that unfolded on the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The film follows Liz (Paul) during a routine school carpool when news of the assassination breaks, transforming an ordinary journey into a drive she will never forget. Rather than revisit the historic event itself, “The Drive” looks at its immediate human impact through the intimate perspective of a mother suddenly confronted with a nation-changing tragedy. Popular on Variety Watson, who has been friends with Arrow for many years, says she was drawn to the film’s understated approach to a moment embedded in the public consciousness. “’The Drive’ delivers a fresh insight into a moment that is universally known, with utter clarity,” she said. “Beautifully shot and acted, being both emotionally truthful and understated, the brief but deeply touching story is rendered vividly with a texture that is absolutely of its time; with the lightest of touches we are slowly made aware that we are inside a very intimate and personal private detail of an historic world-shattering event seared in the public imagination.” Following screenings at more than 40 film festivals and multiple awards, the film is now qualified for consideration for the 99th Academy Awards. “As familiar as I am with the overall events that took place, I was stunned that I didn’t know this small but significant piece of history, a very personal and compelling footnote to one of the most consequential chapters in the chronicle of the 20th century,” said Arrow. Produced through 4 A Films, “The Drive” continues the creative partnership between Arrow and Paul. Arrow’s screen credits include “Igby Goes Down,” “Hostage,” “Broad City,” NBC’s “The Hunting Party” and AMC’s “Turn.” Paul is an award-winning actress whose credits include “The Woman From Hamburg,” “That’s My Boy,” “Nurse Jackie” and “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” opposite Harry Styles. Watson received Oscar nominations for “Breaking the Waves” and “Hilary and Jackie.” Her most recent credits include her Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear performance in “Small Things Like These,” opposite Cillian Murphy, and in Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet.”