Taxi Blues

UPC: 741952314592

Studio: Koch Lorber Films

Summary: Taxi Blues is a ground-breaking Russian film, one of the first to examine the rifts between the old Soviet Union and the post-communist Russian society. The movie concerns the friendship of an independent, alcoholic Jewish jazz musician named Liocha (Piotr Nikolajevitch Mamonov) and Schlikov (Pyotr Zaitchenko) a stern, conservative cabdriver. After Liocha doesn't pay Schlikov for a fare one evening, the cab driver tracks the musician down and takes his saxophone as payment. Despite his initial treatment of Liocha, Schlikov becomes fascinated by the musician and offers him a bed in his apartment. Eventually, the two strike up a friendship and Liocha gets a job in the taxi depot in order to pay off his debt. However, their friendship turn sour when Schlikov's girlfriend becomes smitten with the musician and Liocha joins an American musician for a U.S. tour. When Liocha returns, rich and successful, he fights with his old friend, leading to a sorrowful conclusion. Taxi Blues received great critical acclaim and many awards, including director Pavel Lungin winning the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1990. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Category: Drama

Awards: Best Foreign Language Film – null Best Director – Cannes Film Festival Best Foreign Film – Independent Spirit Awards Best Foreign Language Film – Hollywood Foreign Press Association

Taxi Blues

Format: Digital Video Disc (DVD)

Release Date: 01/13/2009

Audio: DD2 Dolby Digital Stereo

Runtime: 110 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) Russian

Subtitles: English

Chapters: Disc #1 -- Taxi Blues
1. Booze [11:25]
2. New Mentality [10:29]
3. Poster [11:37]
4. Bath [7:06]
5. Accomplice or Victim [11:32]
6. 8x12 [9:06]
7. Loud Music [15:41]
8. Forgive Me [4:46]
9. Who's Playing? [10:10]
10. Find Me, My Treasure [7:23]
11. Party [8:27]
12. End Credits [2:08]

Michael Costello

Pavel Lounguine's arresting profile of a bizarre friendship is set against the misery of post-perestroika Russia. When jazz musician Piotr Mamonov stiffs cabdriver Piotr Zaitchenko for a large fare, it's the beginning of a very odd relationship. Although the cabdriver has forced the sax player into virtual indentured servitude to get his money, this dedicated fascist finds himself strangely attracted to the other man's immersion in his music and utter lack of discipline. Lounguine clearly intends these characters to represent the old era of repression and the burgeoning age of freedom, but both are so repellent in completely different ways that they become completely absorbing as individuals. The director also provides a tour of the Moscow of the early '90s, where shortages, poverty, alcoholism, and lawlessness are the norm, and one understands why just being able to survive is an uphill battle for both characters. The film also alludes to Russia's notorious anti-semitism in the cabdriver's remarks toward the musician, who happens to be a Jew. Lounguine wrings considerable humor from the desperate pair, and even some irony, as the musician, indifferent toward money, hits it big in America, the land of the materialistic cabdriver's dreams. The film is a fascinating journey into a disturbing reality. ~ Michael Costello, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Pierre Rival  Actor 
Nicolai Ejevsky  Actor 
Alexandre Inchakov  Actor 
Galina Proxorova  Actor 
Alexandre Bouianov  Actor 
Edouard Guimpel  Actor 
Natalya Markova  Actor 
Gercubi Vassiliskov  Actor 
Viaceslav Gorbountchikov  Actor 
Irina Gobratova  Actor 
Vladimir Lopatine  Actor 
Yuri Sokolov  Actor 
Lydia Ejevskaya  Actor 
Iassouo Hiougadsi  Actor 
Youri Yourtchenko  Actor 
Constantin Asponsky  Actor 
Evgueni Gortchakov  Actor 
Vladimir Sterjakov  Actor 
Valdimir Chekassine  Composer (Music Score) 
Marin Karmitz  Producer 
Pavel Lungin  Director 
Pavel Lungin  Screenwriter 
Pierre Rival  Executive Producer 
Pierre Rival  Producer 
Petr Mamonov  Actor 
Piotr Zaitchenko  Actor 
Vladimir Kachpur  Actor 
Natalia Koliakanova  Actor 
Yelena Safonova  Actor 
Hal Singer  Actor 
Sergei Gazarov  Actor 
Yevgeny Gerchakov  Actor 
Dimitri Prigov  Actor 
Igor Zolotovitsky  Actor 
Valery Khlevinsky  Actor 
Yelena Stepanova  Actor 
Sergei Galkin  Actor 

Country: France,USSR