Today’s theme: A Taxi Driver (택시 운전사)

A Taxi Driver tells the story of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising through a foreign correspondent and a Korean taxi driver. The recent film, which has become this year's biggest draw here in local theaters, portrays the two characters’ collaborative effort to broadcast newsreel footage of the tragic incident to the world. Based on the true story of German TV reporter Jürgen Hinzpeter, A Taxi Driver is a heartfelt appreciation of ordinary people turned heroes. Why is this film significant in today’s society? What role does it play?

>>>The Conversationalist with

Darcy Paquet

- film critic

- author of the book New Korean Cinema: Breaking the Waves (2009)f

- founder and director of "Wildflower Film Awards Korea(들꽃영화상)"

- teaches at the Busan Asian Film School

“There's a controversy over the car-chase scene near the ending, from some saying it was too much, to others saying it's not accurately portraying what happened.

What do you think?”

&

Tim Shorrock

- investigative journalist based in the US

- he was in Gwangju shortly after the uprising

- went on to report on South Korea’s student and worker-led democratic movement in the early 80s

“A Taxi Driver is gaining a lot of attention here.

And President Moon Jae-in recently ordered a special investigation into the uprising, following recent allegations that the military back then sent ammunition-loaded helicopters to Gwangju and even had fighter planes on standby.

What’s your thought on all this recent development?”

&

>>>A Few Minutes with Amos

The American Death Note movie finally came out. And it’s perfectly fine!

Of COURSE on rotten tomatoes it has a 42%.

The only complaints are about how it’s different from the original…

>>>Next week: Seo Tae Ji (서태지)