A film by Philipp Majer
Duration: 82 minutes, 2019/20, Mixed languages with English Subtitles
This film features five charismatic taxi drivers and their passengers from five different cities: Bangkok, Pristina, Dakar, El Paso and Berlin. For 24 hours, we follow them through their city, their daily routine, their private life, listening to their thoughts. A parallel montage of the different time zones, based on Central European Time, creates a feeling of simultaneity. The taxi rides, the opening and closing of the doors set the pace, link the protagonists together, show the differences and similarities and are at the same time an allegory for the endless opportunities hiding behind every door. A bit like “Night on Earth” - but in the form of a documentary. This film immerses into the moods, opinions and cultures of five different countries, depicting an image of the current situation at the respective locations.
The film has won the award for the best documentary film at International Film Festival Cologne and also at South Texas International Film Festival.
A note from the Director:
Five years ago, I found myself in a cab in the small town of Roswell, New Mexico, USA. The driver was a guy that seemed to fit perfectly in Jarmuschs "Night on Earth", one of my favorite movies. It was just then, when the idea to this documentary was born. Just like Jarmusch, I have a thing for strange and charismatic people. Taxi drivers tend to be outcasts, loners and lovable showoffs. Not really being part of what is considered to be normal society, but experts on how their city works and having an opinion on everything. I realized that it is in a taxi where you can experience best what it is like to live life in different parts of the world.
Philipp Majer
He is an independent filmmaker from Saarbrücken, Germany. He has a passion for authentic people and bizarre funny stories. Often with a political approach. His films are affectionate and have a strong cinematic look. Apart from ‘World Taxi’ his other films include ‘Small Town / Die Kleinstadt’ (2018), ‘Smajl’ (2016) and ‘Bunte Liga’ (2014). The film ‘Smajl’ has also won the best documentary film award at Jaipur International Film Festival.
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You can watch the film here.
After the first screening on 14 October 2020 from 6:30 pm IST, from 8:00 pm IST, you can join the filmmaker Philipp Majer for a live discussion on Facebook.
Kindly click here to participate in the open discussion.
You can ask questions by writing in the 'comment' section while the live stream of the discussion is being broadcast.
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