Paul Greengrass Says ‘The Lost Bus’ is “The Most Realistic Depiction of Fire Ever Put On Film”

No shocker, Paul Greengrass’ latest film is apparently rooted in the kind of authenticity the filmmaker is known for showcasing on screen.

If this interview with Empire is any indication,“The Lost Bus” will tackle a true story in the same gritty realism approach Greengrass brought to such films as “United 93” and “Bloody Sunday.”

The story follows a harrowing real-life event: in November 2018, Paradise, California, was engulfed by a catastrophic wildfire that claimed 85 lives, injured 19, and leveled 1,800 homes. Amid the chaos, school-bus driver Kevin McKay shepherded 22 children to safety, navigating one of the most perilous environments imaginable.

Greengrass captures that fires on screen, with Matthew McConaughey leading the cast alongside America Ferrera, who portrays a teacher caught in the tragedy. “I wanted it to be the most realistic depiction of fire ever put on film,” the director told Empire.

Achieving that level of realism posed enormous challenges. At one point, Greengrass considered massive digital screens showing the blaze, and then said screw it. Instead, he decided to shut down Santa Fe University of Art and Design, build a controlled road circuit complete with gas burners and lines of fire, and shot during magic hour to capture the glowing orange light.

“I told Matthew, ‘Trust me. The goal is to capture the intensity of a live performance, but with the safety of thorough preparation,’” Greengrass recalls. “We essentially had to shoot a full day’s work in sixty minutes. They embraced it completely. There’s always a moment when you know your actors have it—you just need to capture it.”

Very soon we’ll find out if Greengrass pulled off the thrills as “The Lost Bus” world premieres at TIFF in two weeks.