Synopsis
This is not the story about one person, but rather, it is a cross-section of a group and a city. The majority of them are the one sitting before the steering wheel, while their families and dreams are moving forward with the rolling wheels.
Alleys of Beijing, this seems to be the center, but incomes of tax drivers do not match the status of this city. Chengdu, well known for its relaxing and cozy atmosphere, but for taxi drivers the hardship can not be avoided. It’s only though a sax-playing driver we discovered the unique sentiment impossible else where; Taipei, the Blue-Green divide can even be found between taxi drivers. An indigenous driver in his sixties still wants to earn money for his children, so that they will come to see him, bringing along his grandchildren. Hong Kong, many tax drivers also volunteer to act as traffic controllers. Between controlling and being controlled, what is the satisfaction for them?
The director passively met and then subjectively selected them. The story—if it can be so called—began from outside taxi windows.
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Director Statement
This is the first time I visited cities in this way, but I’ve seen and heard so many things despite the short and random meetings.
As a matter of fact, nothing was left for me to communicate as time passed, since the so-called communication seems so artificial before these ordinary people. Once in a city, I met drivers I wanted, without much effort. I didn’t get it until later that this is not because I was lucky, but that each one of them had very good stories. If one understands this, one sees that communication is unimportant, as their life is more important than the thought one wants to communicate.
There is a prevailing theory in the film industry, the so-called author’s view: What am I? What do I want to express? Documentary works in the opposite direction. One must get oneself out of the film. In this world, you are not as important as you may think and this seems increasingly true to me.
At this moment, I don’t want to be an empty thinker, because observation itself is enough. By comparing with these people, I question myself: how to get along with parents, how to live with my spouse, and what attitude to take towards my dream. Shall I thank life for offering me enough, or complain that it’s not exciting enough?
Hope to gradually understand that, this section actually gives me a sting.
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