A Taxi Driver

A Taxi Driver
Theatrical release poster
Title (English)	A Taxi Driver
Title (Korean)	택시운전사
Directed by	Jang Hoon
Written by	Eom Yu-na
Produced by	Park Un-kyoung, Han Seung-ryeong
Starring	Song Kang-ho, Thomas Kretschmann, Yoo Hai-jin, Ryu Jun-yeol, Park Hyuk-kwon, Choi Gwi-hwa, Cha Soon-bae, Shin Dam-soo, Ryoo Seong-hyeon, Um Tae-goo, Lee Jung-eun
Release date	2 August 2017
Running time	137 minutes
Country	South Korea
Language	Korean, English, German

Plot

The story evolves in May 1980, when a German reporter working in Japan arrives in South Korea, Seoul and hires a taxi driver to take him to Gwangju, where uprisings are happening. While the taxi driver represents the middle age generation, and all he cares about is earning enough money to take care of his daughter, he takes the reporter to Gwangju without imagining the actual situation in Gwangju. Moreover, due to the censorship, the rest of South Korea parts are unaware of Gwangju events. Thus, finally, after entering Gwangju, the taxi driver is shocked by the city's riots and military brutality. Once the government finds out that the German reporter got into Gwangju, they order the soldiers to catch the reporter and anyone who helped him, meaning that the taxi driver was also in danger.

The film is based on a true story, although some details were changed to strengthen the film's message. For instance, the German reporter was the only foreign reporter who could show the world what was happening in Gwangju and Korea. The last episodes of the film will introduce the real story and even show the interview with the German reporter. This emotionally engaging film might be a visual example for those aware of Korean history and a history lesson for those who did not learn much about Korea.

Cast

Song Kang-ho
Thomas Kretschmann
Yoo Hai-jin
Ryu Jun-yeol
Park Hyuk-kwon
Choi Gwi-hwa
Cha Soon-bae
Shin Dam-soo
Ryoo Seong-hyeon
Um Tae-goo
Lee Jung-eun