Film Discussion - Taxi

 

1. How many points of view can you see in the film? try to explain them.

Answer text Question 1

The first viewpoint is the "Theory of Human Goodness". The young man in the front row believes that bad people should be punished, while the elderly woman in the back row believes otherwise. She thinks that people are born good, and that criminal behavior is a result of life's hardships, and therefore should be met with compassion. This perspective is also reflected in the director's friend in the subsequent scenes. Although he recognizes the person who robbed him, he couldn't bring himself to report them because he feels "their lives are very difficult."

The second viewpoint is "Real or Fake". The overweight man in the back row believes that the people in the front row are actors hired by the director. This reveals the suspicion between individuals.

The third viewpoint is the "Unreasonable Censorship System". In Iranian society, movies, as a means of spreading human civilization, seem to be a forbidden substance that needs to be traded secretly. I can sense that the director's true message when he says "I believe all movies are worth watching" is that a society that accepts all cultures is a healthy one.

The fourth viewpoint is "Marriage, Gender", and these aspects are reflected in the female passenger escorting her husband. For her, the security of marriage lies in her husband's will. This is why she keeps insisting on having a copy of the will video. It also reveals that in the current environment, women are unable to live independently and are a vulnerable group. This is also evident in the subsequent story of the female lawyer. Both she and her husband were involved in activities advocating for women's rights, but she faced suspension and investigation, while her husband had no issues. Additionally, the girls attending public performances were imprisoned for 108 days. These situations reflect the unfair treatment of women in Iranian society.

The fifth viewpoint is "Superstition, Class". When the two women carrying a fish tank get into a taxi, their attitude towards the driver shows their disdain for the working class. This attitude persists when the director helps them hail a taxi, as they don't express gratitude but instead blame the director. Regarding superstition, the release of goldfish is the best illustration. Even though the director expresses his opinion, it doesn't change their beliefs.

The sixth viewpoint is the "Filthy Reality". This is reflected through two characters. The first is the director's niece. When she captures a young boy stealing money on camera, she becomes angry. However, her anger isn't directed at the act of stealing, but rather at the raw reality of the footage, which she can't include in her assignment because present society demands the beautification of all things. This is also evident in the lines of the female lawyer later on. In summary, it is imperative to beautify society, and presenting negative thoughts and values can lead to being labeled morally corrupt.

The seventh viewpoint, which I consider to be the final one, is "Escapism". If we look at the director's background story, his works are filled with reality, which is exactly what society tends to avoid. Yet, it is these aspects that need the most correction. I believe the director wants to tell the world that a society that doesn't evade reality is truly a healthy one.

2. Can you explain the socio-cultural context of the film? what do you think the film wants to achieve?

Answer text Question 2

I believe that this film portrays a society under Iran's feudal management system, showcasing a society dominated by a distorted ideology in terms of human nature, film censorship, marriage, gender, class, and religion. The director's true intention is to convey that a healthy society is one that confronts issues without evasion and embraces all cultures.

3. What do you think is the key concept of the film?

Answer text Question 3

I believe it's about "evasion". In the film, the government seeks to create a perfect society, positioning themselves as the citizens' reliance. However, this perfection is constructed through "evasion". Each issue raised by the passengers in the film is a matter that society is evading. It's like a rotten apple – even if you cover up the bad side and shows only the good side, it doesn't change the fact that it's a bad apple. Therefore, what the director wants to emphasize isn't reality itself, but the realities and reasons that are being avoided. That, I believe, is the most crucial aspect of this film.

4. Can you discuss some of the film techniques in relation to the film concept and the socio-cultural context?

Answer text Question 4

Mockumentary.

It shares the same emphasis on the storytelling process as conventional documentaries, often bearing a comedic and playful demeanor. However, in reality, it is fictional, using satire or mimicry to analyze major events or issues in society. In my view, "TAXI" employs this technique to reflect on societal problems.

The dialogue technique stands out prominently here. Because they are all pedestrians, their lines are spontaneous and devoid of any elements of performance. This significantly enhances the authenticity of the story and aligns well with the characteristics of a documentary. Moreover, every word they say candidly expresses their discontent with society or the compromises they make in resignation. This has also made me realize how fortunate it is to live in a healthy society.

5. Can you discuss the narrative and say, for example, what is different about it?

Answer text Question 5

The film "TAXI" presents a more authentic storyline compared to typical movies. Firstly, it employs a documentary-style filming technique, avoiding excessive set design and staging. The entire film takes place inside a taxi, seamlessly blending real life with the film's narrative. Secondly, the actors. Unlike traditional films where actors are highly trained, the performers in "TAXI" are ordinary citizens without professional training or rehearsals, thus their dialogue reflects genuine thoughts. This is also something that traditional movies do not possess.  Finally, there was an accident happend at the end of the film.  Traditional films follow a scripted path with each step planned out. In contrast, "TAXI" primarily relies on real-life documentation, introducing a level of unpredictability, exemplified by the unexpected robbery towards the end of the film. I believe this plot twist might not have been premeditated during filming, or it could have been presented in a pseudo-documentary style. But it has to be said that the plot was unexpected, at least I didn't expect the movie to end in this way.