Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002)

Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever was born of screenwriter Alan McElroy’s fascination with “the stories that lie beneath the surface of what the public sees on the evening news. Whether or not it’s true,” he says, “most of us like to believe that there is a vast world of espionage and covert actions being played out on an international scale behind the scenes.”

The screenwriter selected the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), an actual U.S. government organization little known by the general public, to enhance the aura of secrecy he created for the story’s agents and their agendas. He wanted to avoid featuring a branch of government operations that had already been over-used in films. In reality, the DIA became operational in 1961. With more than 7,000 military and civilian employees worldwide, it is a Department of Defense combat support agency and an important member of the U.S. intelligence network. “But,” McElroy playfully points out, “have you ever heard of it?”

Director Kaos counts himself among those who had never heard of the DIA prior to taking on Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever, but says that the very anonymity of the organization is what makes it a perfect choice for the film. “The truth is, I have no idea what they actually do,” he says with his characteristic sense of humor, “but in this movie they follow our script. Since we are portraying some of their agents as bad guys, I just hope they don’t show up on my doorstep one day.”

The pervasive themes of secrecy, hidden motives and unanswered questions -- not only about the individuals in the story but the agencies they serve -- contributes to what Kaos describes as an “atmospheric and noir-ish style for the film.”

As much as he appreciated the pure action adrenalin elements of the story, Kaos was also intrigued by the adversarial dynamic of the two lead characters, who are different in their approach to their jobs but evenly matched in power. “Sever is the ultimate warrior,” he says. “In theory, she is unstoppable. But Ecks is completely relentless, a man who will not accept defeat. Every time they confront each other it’s impossible to predict who might gain the upper hand -- or lose it -- in the next instant.”

It was this dramatic tension McElroy had in mind when creating the characters, whom he describes as “the irresistible force meets the immovable object,” and which Kaos fully explores as Ecks and Sever meet in one deadly confrontation after another.

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