A Taxi Driver
dir. Jang Hoon · 2017
In the face of danger and uncertainty, the struggle for truth and justice can awaken a sense of responsibility and courage in ordinary people.
Feature
Civil Unrest
Mood
Uplifting / Tense
Look
gritty realism with a documentary-style approach
Structure
linear progression with flashbacks to deepen emotional stakes
Plot
May, 1980. Man-seob is a taxi driver in Seoul who lives from hand to mouth, raising his young daughter alone. One day, he hears that there is a foreigner who will pay big money for a drive down to Gwangju city. Not knowing that he’s a German journalist with a hidden agenda, Man-seob takes the job.
Why watch
"In 'A Taxi Driver,' the gripping journey of a father navigating the chaotic streets of Gwangju during a pivotal moment in South Korean history unfolds with tension and emotional depth, illuminating the personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of truth."
Talking points
- the impact of political conflict on everyday lives
- the ethics of journalism
- fatherhood and sacrifice
- the intersection of personal and political history
Cultural context
South Korean political historythe Gwangju Uprisingfather-daughter dynamicsthe role of journalists in conflict