It was five years ago today that I stood just outside a movie theater one evening and wept at the news of actor Paul Walker’s death. It’s certainly a day that his fans will never forget, and considerably for his colleagues, immediate friends and family back in 2013 just as the actor barely finished filming his last movie, Furious Seven, for Universal.
Going forward, however, has been a different tale as Walker’s friends and loved ones have been on hand to uphold their late brother’s legacy ever since. A raft of folks whose lives had been touched by Walker can now be seen in director Adrian Buitenhuis’ new documentary, I Am Paul Walker, now available on digital release from Virgil Films who’ve just released a clip at the top of the page.
Hailing from Network Entertainment Inc., the documentary previously aired a shorter, televised broadcast on Paramount Network on August 11. Friday’s release of I Am Paul Walker marks the first time the full feature length version will be made available in the U.S. to fans, running thirty minutes longer than the TV version.
Available now on Digital Download followed by a DVD release on December 4, I Am Paul Walker features interviews with those who were closest to Paul, including Fast & Furious actor Tyrese Gibson and director Rob Cohen, director Wayne Kramer, family members Cody Walker, Caleb Walker, Ashlie Walker, Cheryl Walker, and Paul Walker III and close friends, Oakley Lehman, Dr. Michael Domeier and Manager Matt Luber.
“We are thrilled that Paul’s story will be shared even further with his fans – those he was always very grateful to,” said Caleb Walker. “The timing of the documentary’s digital launch on November 30, the fifth anniversary of Paul’s passing, is a fitting tribute to his legacy.”
Watching some of the testimonies from friends, it’s almost like an emotional gut punch at times. You can definitely tell how hard it is for some of the interviewees, namely Walker’s father, Paul Walker III, and younger brother, Cody Walker. I talk more about it in my review here, but check out the clip above and be sure to set aside time to watch this documentary, as it’s the closest I think we’ll come to getting to know Paul Walker for who he really was beyond the glitz and glam of Hollywood that he himself was never afraid to walk away from.
The film, directed by Adrian Buitenhuis, explores the life and legacy of actor Paul Walker, the Southern California native who cut his teeth as a child actor before breaking out in the blockbuster Fast & Furious movie franchise. Featuring interviews with those who knew Paul best both professionally and personally, along with an extensive personal archive of never-before-seen candid video and still photographs provided by family and friends of the late actor, I Am Paul Walker explores Paul’s private side in tandem with the highlights of his highly successful film career. His devotion to his family, his passion for surfing and auto racing, his commitment to marine biology and sharks, his dedication to humanitarian work through his NGO, Reach Out Worldwide, and his love for his family define the character of the man who starred in Fast & Furious, one of the most wildly successful film franchises of all time.
