A Taxi Driver (2017 Film)
A Taxi Driver (Korean: 택시 운전사; RR: Taeksi Woonjunsa) is a 2017 South Korean historical drama film directed by Jang Hun. The film is based on the true story of German journalist Jürgen Hinzpeter and his encounter with a South Korean taxi driver, Kim Sa-bok, during the Gwangju Uprising in May 1980.
Plot
Set in May 1980, the story follows Peter (Thomas Kretschmann), a German reporter based in Tokyo who learns of reports regarding civil unrest in Gwangju, South Korea, following the imposition of martial law. Despite the city being largely cut off from the outside world, Peter travels to South Korea to document the events.
In Seoul, a struggling taxi driver named Kim Man-seob (Song Kang-ho) is desperate to earn enough money to pay his overdue rent. Upon hearing that a foreign passenger is willing to pay a significant fare for a trip to Gwangju, Kim accepts the job without knowing the gravity of the situation unfolding in the city. The two men eventually navigate the military blockades to reach Gwangju, where they witness the intensity of the uprising.
Production
The film was directed by Jang Hun, marking his second collaboration with lead actor Song Kang-ho following the 2010 film The Secret Reunion. Principal photography for the film commenced on June 5, 2016, and concluded on October 23, 2016. The production aimed to recreate the atmosphere of 1980s South Korea and the specific historical context of the Gwangju Uprising, which occurred between May 18 and May 27, 1980.
Cast
- Song Kang-ho as Kim Man-seob
- Thomas Kretschmann as Peter
- Yu Hae-jin as Hwang Tae-sool
- Ryu Jun-yeol as Koo Jae-sik
- Park Hyuk-kwon as Reporter Choi
Reception and Awards
A Taxi Driver received critical acclaim and achieved significant commercial success in South Korea. The film was recognized at several major award ceremonies in 2017:
- Blue Dragon Film Awards: Won Best Film, Best Actor (Song Kang-ho), Best Music (Jo Young-wook), and Top Box Office Seller.
- The Seoul Awards: Won Best Actor (Song Kang-ho).
- Daejong Film Awards: Won Best Film and Best Planning.