Taksi-Blyuz (1990)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Pavel Lungin

Writer:

Pavel Lungin (writer)

Release Date:

18 January 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Ivan is old Russia: thick, dour, hard-working, often brutish; he misses Communism. He drives a taxi and one night meets Alexi...

Plot Keywords:

Tragicomedy

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Pyotr Mamonov	...	Lyosha
Pyotr Zaychenko	...	Shlykov
Vladimir Kashpur	...	Old Nechiporenko
Natalya Kolyakanova	...	Christina
Hal Singer	...	Himself
Yelena Safonova	...	Nina, Liocha's Wife
Sergei Gazarov	...	Administrator
Yevgeni Gerchakov	...	Bald Musician in the Taxi
Dmitri Prigov	...	Writer Typing in the Train
Igor Zolotovitsky	...	Petyunchik
Valeri Khlevinsky	...	Fat Kolya
Yelena Stepanova	...	Smart Young Girl
Vladimir Sterzhakov	...	Musician in the Taxi
Konstantin Afonsky	...	Long-Haired Mechanic
Aleksandr Buyanov	...	Passenger with Newspaper

Also Known As:

Taxi Blues (International: English title) (USA) (DVD box title)
Такси-блюз (Soviet Union: Russian title)

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

Soviet Union | France

Language:

Russian

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Argentina:16 | Chile:18 | Germany:16 (bw)

Company:

ASK Eurofilm

A great film directed by Pavel Lungin after the fall of Soviet Union

A post Perestroika film like "Taksi-Blyuz" must be viewed in the context of Russia after 1990s.It is a landmark film in the history of Russian cinema.It speaks about an independent Russian state which might be a little difficult for some non Russian people to understand.It must be mentioned that it is not all an American Taxi Driver.The core issues of this film are masculinity,music and patriotism but still our hero grapples with numerous emotional conflicts.In today's modern day Russia,I am sure that so much has changed ever since it was created in 1990.The taxi is old in this film and decline of Russia is becoming a sore sight for natives as well as foreigners.There are many black markets where everything can be purchased.One such street vendor sells old stuff such as a saxophone,some old clothes. This is a short story of oppressed and oppressor.This film is not for you if you are expecting to watch a modern day Russia."Taksi-Blyuz" is not a film about poverty but about all factors known for making people come to terms with poverty.Pavel Lungin has made his film with a tinge of sadness.It is a nice thing that women have a minor presence as most of them lack strong will power."Taksi-Blyuz" is a true perestroika film to be admired for its inherent Russianness.