Behind-the-Scenes of BJ Baldwin's RECOIL 4 Shoot in Cuba with Larry Chen

The Genesis of RECOIL

• 💡 The RECOIL series, a brainchild of Brian Moore and BJ Baldwin, revolutionized action sports films by featuring a winning trophy truck in unconventional, high-action scenarios.
• 🚀 Previous installments, RECOIL 2 and RECOIL 3, showcased BJ Baldwin's truck shredding through towns and forests, establishing a unique blend of stunts and cinematic storytelling.

RECOIL 4: Cuba Production Challenges

• 🌎 RECOIL 4 was filmed in Cuba during a unique period of eased US-Cuba relations, presenting both opportunity and significant logistical hurdles.
• 🚧 The production faced immense challenges, including government pushback, difficulties in securing necessary equipment like a functional tow truck, and the need to smuggle race fuel into the country.
• 🚁 Drones, being illegal in Cuba, required careful smuggling and assembly, with the drone operator being detained by police.
• 🚗 Even the camera car was an improvised solution, a modified Hyundai Santa Fe with a generator strapped to its bumper.

On-Street Stunts and Public Interaction

• 💥 BJ Baldwin performed numerous jumps, covering an estimated two miles of airtime throughout the shoot, often repeating stunts to achieve perfection.
• 🚧 A particularly dangerous stunt involved jumping down a flight of stairs near a house precariously supported by wooden beams, which BJ narrowly avoided hitting.
• 👥 The presence of the massive, loud American trophy truck in Cuba, an island with no billboards or advertisements, captivated locals, who often gathered to watch, creating challenges in crowd control.

Cultural Immersion and Local Connections

• 📸 Larry Chen made an effort to incorporate the local people and culture into the film, capturing the essence of Cuban car culture, including modified classic cars.
• 🤝 Despite the production difficulties and the island's hardships, the crew formed genuine connections with locals, who often invited them into their homes and shared coffee.
• 🚗 Many locals, like a taxi driver friend, found ways to benefit from the production, highlighting the economic disparities and resourcefulness on the island.

Impact and Legacy

• 📈 Despite the niche nature of the content, RECOIL 4 achieved significant success, with the video amassing over 27 million views.
• ✨ The behind-the-scenes story of the production in Cuba is considered by many to be as grand and crazy as the final film itself, offering a unique glimpse into a challenging yet rewarding experience.