
There are not a few times we have watched movies that have snapshots of scenes unfolding inside a taxi! But there are those films that are a milestone in the history of cinema, with the protagonist…the taxi.
Countless scenes are presented on the big screens in any version imaginable, from action and adventure scenes to horror and suspense. Of course, there could not be missing moments of erotic mood, as well as the comedic side of the profession. We have selected some films, some of which are quite pleasant and relatively light, but also some which are considered masterpieces.
One of them is of course the timeless “Taxi driver”, starring Robert De Niro, in the role of a veteran who fought in Vietnam and, suffering from depression, works as a taxi driver at night, in order to combat his insomnia. For those of course who remember the movie, with the iconic line: “You talking to me”, they already know that this is one of the best movies of all time. It was nominated for four Academy Awards and won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Another interesting and original fiction film is “Taxi Teheran” (Taxi in Tehran). Although many rightly mistake it for a documentary, in fact the director himself is in the role of a taxi driver and the supposed customers are amateur actors. This particular film was awarded the Golden Bear for best film at the 65th Berlin Film Festival as well as the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award.
The gripping thriller “Conspiracy Theory” could not be missing from the list, with Mel Gibson starring in the role of a delusional and paranoid taxi driver. Obsessed with conspiracy theories himself, his life will end up being in danger, as it turns out that some of his theories are not so far-fetched and turn out to be true.
Another suspenseful thriller is “Collateral”, starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx, who was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor. It is about the story between a professional killer who holds a taxi driver hostage, making him an accomplice against his will.
Then comes the sensational “The Fifth Element,” starring Bruce Willis as a taxi driver who accidentally turns into the only man who can save the world from a catastrophic disaster. A science fiction film with intense surrealism and impressive effects, which became a major international box office success, and was rightfully awarded three César Awards and a Bafta Award.
An alternative, highly enjoyable option is Night on Earth. It is about five different stories between taxi drivers and their customers, set in five different cities of the world, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Rome and Helsinki. A fairly simple and light film, but at the same time original, which basically describes the authentic temporary relationship that develops between the taxi driver and the customer in a realistic way.
Finally, of course, a Greek classical selection could not be missing from the above proposed list. It is Soferaki, a comedy film starring Mimi Fotopoulos, presenting him as a simple folk taxi driver and as an exuberant bachelor, who then falls in love. In fact, this particular film was screened in theaters by Finos Film in 1953, a few years after the appearance of the first taxis in Athens. It was a great success for the time and is still shown on our televisions to this day.

Obviously the list could be endless as there seem to be countless options. Even when the subject of the taxi is not going to be a central element in a film, it still inspires filmmakers in many different ways. In the majority of films, there is at least one scene, which takes place inside a taxi, or at least a reference to some driver or some incident. There are also countless scenes with the actors desperately trying to stop a taxi, which never stops when they need it, or using it as a means of tracking. But the reasonable question that arises from so many moviegoers and critics is how is it that such a simplistic and everyday profession is so often the lead role in so many films and still exists as a supporting element in even more? Where could all this inspiration come from? Could it be that deep down we identify with this exuberant profession that we love to hate?
The inspiration is initially caused by the very everyday life of the modern world and mainly by the intense rhythms that dominate a city. In particular, as far as the above films are concerned, they are one of those that always remain relevant, as they are initially based on simplicity, but also on the everyday life of people, who could be someone of our own, our neighbor or even ourselves . People are presented, who from simple professional drivers, may end up living extreme and complex situations. However, in some of the specific films, there is a division among their viewers, as some argue that a crude, unrealistic dramatization and a perverted perspective prevail to a rather strong degree. However, the above opinion could not be valid, since in reality these situations, presented on our screens, even the most extreme, which seem unrealistic, are often caused by society itself. In essence, what is depicted on our screens is a miniature of our world and a description of the way we experience our daily lives. Perhaps, at some points the question arises rightly about how we ourselves would like to live our lives and what we could improve both in society and in ourselves.

In all of the above timeless masterpieces, we watch interesting views and versions of people’s lives, not only taxi drivers, but also the people they serve every day. Everyone hides a story within themselves, just like each of us and perhaps feels the need for communication. In the majority of them, they face difficulties in their daily life and most of the time luck may not be on their side. After all, this is an integral part of the meaning of the above films, that favorable conditions are not always present in life and that life is hard and difficult.
So one could not fail to draw inspiration from such a profession with many difficulties, especially on a psychological, social and economic level. In addition, the profession of a taxi driver is often inextricably linked to the night, which will often bring the driver face to face with unpredictable and unpleasant incidents, but also sometimes even with comic-tragic situations. Also, the loneliness of the night, but also of the profession itself, may have a catalytic effect on his psychology, his behavior and his life in general, as the hours he spends behind the wheel are endless. The most important thing of all, known to all of us, is that all taxi drivers will have some interesting and original story to tell during their long shift, from the most sociable to the loneliest one isolated in his car, experiencing the indifference of the crowd. All these stories spread and often become a topic of discussion. Some of them could not fail to inspire a screenwriter.

The taxi driver profession could be characterized as an integral part of the modern culture and society we live in. Each of us individually could connect and identify to a lesser or greater degree with an ordinary taxi driver. And this naturally happens, because every day we live begins for all of us, without knowing how it will develop and what fate has in store for us. For each of us his future is unpredictable, so is every professional taxi driver, he is ignorant of the outcome of each route and of each customer he transports. From the moment his shift begins, an unknown “journey” begins for him as well as his usually short association with people, who may belong to any social class.
Somehow this specific profession is an inspiration for several filmmakers, transferring it to our screens either as a leading element, or placing it as a snapshot in the film, as a necessary part of our daily life. All genres of cinema, from comedies and adventures to science fiction and thrillers, are given a realistic approach to the way taxi scenes are presented and played out. It is a realism that we all feel the need to watch and identify with.
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