A Taxi Driver is a Korean film that was released in 2017. The film is set in the 1980’s and is based on the true story of a taxi driver who ferried a foreign journalist into the heart of the Gwangju Uprising.
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Introduction
Korean cinema is renowned for its emotionally resonant stories, and A Taxi Driver is no exception. This 2017 film tells the true story of a taxi driver who unwittingly becomes involved in the Gwangju Uprising, a pivotal moment in Korean history.
Director Jang Hoon weaves a tense and heart-wrenching tale, anchored by strong performances from leads Song Kang-ho and Thomas Nam. The film is both a searing portrait of a country on the brink of change, and a stirring tribute to the power of ordinary people to effect change.
Plot
The film tells the story of a taxi driver in Seoul who, by chance, becomes the bodyguard of a young woman nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. The driver, more interested in making money than protecting his charge, nevertheless agrees to take on the job. As he gets to know her, however, he begins to understand the importance of her work and comes to respect her. When she is kidnapped by North Korean agents, he risks his life to save her.
Characters
The lives of two men – a South Korean taxi driver and a North Korean defector – intersect one fateful day
The taxi driver, man in his early sixties, is struggling to make ends meet. He works long hours driving his taxi around the city, picking up fares wherever he can. His wife is ill and his daughter is pregnant, and he is struggling to pay for their medical bills. The North Korean defector is a young man in his twenties who has escaped from North Korea and is trying to make his way to South Korea. He is starving and desperate, and he has no money. When the two men meet, the taxi driver agrees to help the defector, and they set off on a journey that will change both of their lives forever.
Themes
A Taxi Driver is a 2017 South Korean historical drama film directed by Jang Hoon and starring Song Kang-ho, Thomas Oberbichler, Yoo Hai-jin, and Ryu Jun-yeol. The film tells the story of a taxi driver who becomes involved in the Gwangju Democratization Movement after driving a foreign journalist to cover the uprising.
The film touches on several themes including love, brotherhood, sacrifice, and hope. It also offers a glimpse into the pain and suffering that many people endured during the time period. Overall, A Taxi Driver is a moving and powerful film that is sure to stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
Setting
A Taxi Driver is set in the early 1980s, against the backdrop of the Gwangju uprising. The film follows taxi driver Man-seob (played by Song Kang-ho) as he unwittingly becomes caught up in the events of the rebellion, and how his interactions with foreign journalist Jurgen Hinzpeter (played by Thomas Kretschmann) change his life forever.
cinematography
Cinematography is the art of making motion pictures. It involves the control of the camera, the design of the mise-en-scène, and the integration of these elements into a coherent whole. Cinematographers are responsible for creating the look and feel of a film. They work closely with the director to ensure that the visual style of the film is appropriate for its content and that itfits within the overall aesthetic of the film.
The cinematographer is also responsible for selecting and operating camera equipment, as well as for developing and printing film stock. In addition, cinematographers often work with special effects technicians to create visual effects shots.
Music
The music in A Taxi Driver is very important in setting the tone of the film. The film opens with light, happy music, which immediately tells the viewer that this is going to be a feel-good movie. As the film progresses, the music becomes more and more intense, reflecting the growing sense of tension and danger that the characters are feeling. By the end of the film, the music is so intense that it feels almost like an action movie, even though there is very little actual violence on screen. This is just one example of how effectively the music is used in A Taxi Driver to create an emotional impact.
Reception
A Taxi Driver was well-received by audiences and critics in South Korea, and was seen as a return to form for director Jang Hoon. The film was a commercial success, grossing over US$120 million worldwide. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 97% based on 32 reviews, with an average rating of 8.1/10. The site’s critical consensus reads, “A Taxi Driver presents a gripping and unconventional perspective on a tragic moment in history – and marks a triumphant return to form for director Bong Joon-ho.” On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 84 out of 100, based on 16 critics, indicating “universal acclaim”.
A Taxi Driver was nominated for and won several awards both domestically and internationally. The film won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Kim), Best Supporting Actor (Yoo), and Best Newcomer (Park) at the 54th Baeksang Arts Awards; it also won the Jury Prize (Kim) at the Cannes Film Festival.
Legacy
Set in the 1980s, A Taxi Driver follows the story of a Korean taxi driver who takes a foreign journalist into Seoul to cover the student uprising. The film is a powerful portrayal of the strength of the human spirit and the importance of standing up for what is right.
The taxi driver, played by Kang-ho Song, is a simple man who is struggling to make ends meet. He agrees to take the journalist, played by Thomas Kretschmann, into the city because he needs the money. However, he soon realizes that what is happening in Seoul is much bigger than he could have ever imagined.
As he witnesses the students fighting for their beliefs, he begins to understand the importance of what they are doing. He also starts to see that there is more to life than just trying to make a living.
The film is a beautifully shot and expertly acted drama that will stay with you long after you watch it. It is a reminder of the importance of standing up for what you believe in and fighting for your rights.
See Also
Other Korean films you might enjoy include:
-The Host
– Kiss Bang, a film by the same director as A Taxi Driver
-Oldboy
-Thirst
