Posoki (Directions)),, Fifth Bulgarian director’s film Stephan Komandarevwas among the 18 feature films in competition in the selection A certain look of this 70th Edition of the Cannes Film Festival.
Synopsis: During an appointment with his banker, the owner of a small business, who taxes to reach both ends, discovers that the bridge pot he will have to pay to obtain a loan doubled. The Ethics Council which examined its complaint for blackmail now requires its share. No longer knowing what saint to dedicate himself to, this owner kills the banker and committed suicide. This incident arouses a national debate on radio on the despair that reigns in civil society. Meanwhile, five taxi drivers and their passengers move in the night, each in the hope of finding a clearer path to move forward.
The story therefore begins with this business owner, also a taxi driver to make ends meet, who after his argument with the bailiff who came to seize his business and before going to his appointment with his banker, will lead his daughter to school and take a young schoolgirl in his taxi in front of this same school.
First of the six taxi stories of this feature film, but which will give an idea of the character of this driver and on the general condition of the country. Indeed, the girl turns out to be a prostitute. When he refuses to take her to the hotel where she works and decides to bring her back to school, she gets angry, insults her and tells her that anyway in this country, all are like her, that her daughter will end up like her, that people who work honestly are misery, that corruption reigns everywhere, that mediocrity surrounds them and at least, unlike him.
Film scene
From this first taxi story, the color is announced. No more ethics, more hope, honest work no longer pays. The driver, straight in his boots and incorruptible, resists and brings the girl back to school, he does not want to be an accomplice. He refuses this company as it has become. But when he goes to his appointment and understands that there is no chance for him to keep his business because of this corruption which reigns, desperate, he literally farts his lead, kills his banker and commits himself.
This is the starting point.
Then the whole film will take place in taxis.
Six different taxis, six different stories.
That of the lawyer who refuses to pay the price of the race which he finds too high and which finished, having also farted the lead, by involuntarily killing the driver.
That of the driver who by chance recognizes his client. He had destroyed his life by refusing her a travel visa in Italy where she had obtained a scholarship to study.
That of the priest who becomes a taxi driver in the evening to feed his family.
That of the driver who carries young people who get drunk to death and who remind him of his deceased son, his suffering following this mourning and his loneliness.
That of the driver who saves a man from suicide.
Each time a different taxi, one or more different customers, different stories. Only common points: a taxi, the same radio program and a deep illness.
Film scene
The radio show allows you to listen to the Bulgarians. Indeed, listeners call to give their opinions on a given theme, and that evening, all comment on morning crime. Everyone has their opinion, although most of them are explained by the gesture of the taxi driver and understand his fed up in the face of corruption, injustice, mediocrity, poverty …
As well the listeners, the drivers or the customers, all denounce a malaise, a suffocation and a kind of despair. Through these people, and by allowing an overview of their problems, the film is a criticism of Bulgarian society and the evil that eats away at it.
It’s black, it’s sad, it’s oppressive. Everything is dirty. The buildings are ugly. It’s closed. There are lots of locks everywhere. From wrought iron to windows and doors to protect yourself …
All aspire to better, to change their life.
The film is very well done. The idea is original in itself.
Komandarev says that he thought of making this film when, himself being in a taxi, he had learned that his driver was a former teacher in nuclear physics and that he had had no choice but to exercise this activity to survive. He also brought him that many colleagues as well as teachers, priests, lawyers … were obliged to make taxi drivers to pay their bills.
The director also said that he had chosen to shoot each episode in a single catch to give an ultra-realistic touch to his film. Indeed, for 7 months, with part of his team, they walked the streets of Sofia. 12,000 km traveled to locate the roads and discover the secrets of the city. Then, the actors had to repeat on these same roads in real taxis so that ultimately each episode was filmed in one time and in real time.
Stephan Komandarev also explained that he gave the film the title Directionsbecause “each taxi driver follows his own direction, and the characters all seek towards where to go. Our society, on the other hand, no longer knows where it is going ”.
Very beautiful film, very touching. Certainly one of the most beautiful films in the A certain Look for this year 2017. To see absolutely.
Neïla Driss
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