Video still for Blipvert Video still

An advert for kidnapping shown in cinemas.

 

The film samples from cop movies, alongside a shot on a Japanese underground train and 8mm film shot in Arizona. The footage and onscreen text is digitally manipulated.

 

In 1998 Blast Theory launched a lottery in which the winners had the chance to be kidnapped. Ten finalists around England and Wales were chosen at random and put under surveillance. Two winners were then snatched in broad daylight and taken to a secret location where they were held for 48 hours.

During the run up to Kidnap, this 45 second video was shown at cinemas around the UK among the usual cinema adverts without crediting or explanation. The Blipvert carried a freephone number, allowing people to register their interest. Over 800 people called in response.


Commissioned by the Junction in Cambridge.

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