A Taxi Driver
A Taxi Driver
A Taxi Driver is a 2017 drama about a Seoul driver and a German journalist who enter Gwangju during the May 18 Democratic Uprising.
OVERALL TRUTH BASIS · Fact-based dramatization
The film is based on journalist Jürgen Hinzpeter's journey to Gwangju with driver Kim Sa-bok, while Kim Man-seob's family, several Gwangju characters, and pursuit scenes are dramatized.
May 18 Democratization Movement
A movement in which citizens demanded democratization in Gwangju and parts of South Jeolla Province from May 18 to 27, 1980, opposing the expansion of martial law by the new military authorities and their violent suppression.
FACT / FICTION
Verification 5
Fact / Fiction verification
5 recordsA Taxi Driver is a 2017 film directed by Jang Hoon.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- —
- Verified record
- Official film records identify it as a 2017 film directed by Jang Hoon.
View 2 sources
- 5·18 민주화운동 알린 '택시운전사' 김사복씨TBS · Major news · Grade BOpen source →
- 내가 5·18 진실 알리는 택시운전사 김사복입니다연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade BOpen source →
The May 18 Democratic Uprising in Gwangju is the film's principal historical backdrop.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- The film draws on German journalist Jürgen Hinzpeter's journey to Gwangju with driver Kim Sa-bok, while the protagonist's family, several Gwangju characters, and pursuit scenes are dramatized.
- Verified record
- The registered reporting connects Hinzpeter and Kim Sa-bok to reporting on Gwangju in May 1980, but it does not independently substantiate every dramatized detail.
View 2 sources
- 5·18 민주화운동 알린 '택시운전사' 김사복씨TBS · Major news · Grade BOpen source →
- 내가 5·18 진실 알리는 택시운전사 김사복입니다연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade BOpen source →
According to Kim Seung-pil, Kim Sa-bok's son, the film portrays Kim Man-seob's family circumstances, taxi work, first meeting with Jürgen Hinzpeter, and reason for travelling to Gwangju differently from Kim Sa-bok's life.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- The film portrays Kim Man-seob as a private taxi driver raising a young daughter alone and constructs a particular first meeting with Hinzpeter and reason for travelling to Gwangju.
- Verified record
- Kim Seung-pil said that Kim Sa-bok operated hotel taxis, lived with his family, had known Hinzpeter since the early 1970s, and chose to go to Gwangju out of a desire for democratization.
View 1 sources
- '택시운전사' 김사복 아들 인터뷰.."父, "민주화 열망으로 광주行"스포츠동아 · Major news · Grade BOpen source →
The May 18 Democratic Uprising forms part of the film's historical basis.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- The film portrays a taxi driver's journey with a German journalist into Gwangju during the uprising, while several characters and action sequences are dramatized.
- Verified record
- The May 18 Democratic Uprising began in Gwangju in 1980 as citizens resisted the expansion of martial law and violent repression and demanded democratization.
View 2 sources
- 5·18 민주화운동 알린 '택시운전사' 김사복씨TBS · Major news · Grade BOpen source →
- 내가 5·18 진실 알리는 택시운전사 김사복입니다연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade BOpen source →
Kim Man-seob is a dramatized character based on the historical driver Kim Sa-bok.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- Kim Man-seob is the film's taxi-driver protagonist.
- Verified record
- KOFIC and Kim Seung-pil's account identify Kim Sa-bok as the basis for the film character, while the family account describes differences between Kim Sa-bok's life and the film portrayal.
View 3 sources
- 5·18 민주화운동 알린 '택시운전사' 김사복씨TBS · Major news · Grade BOpen source →
- '택시운전사' 김사복 아들 인터뷰.."父, "민주화 열망으로 광주行"스포츠동아 · Major news · Grade BOpen source →
- SONG Kang-ho Takes Lead in TAXI DRIVER Depicting the Gwangju Democratization MovementKOFIC · Major news · Grade BOpen source →
CHARACTER ↔ PERSON
Characters and real people
김만섭
Fictionalized real personBased on a real personKim Sa-bok →
피터
Historical personBased on a real personJürgen Hinzpeter →
Sources used
- 5·18 민주화운동 알린 '택시운전사' 김사복씨TBS · Major news · Grade BOpen source →
- 내가 5·18 진실 알리는 택시운전사 김사복입니다연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade BOpen source →
- '택시운전사' 김사복 아들 인터뷰.."父, "민주화 열망으로 광주行"스포츠동아 · Major news · Grade BOpen source →
- SONG Kang-ho Takes Lead in TAXI DRIVER Depicting the Gwangju Democratization MovementKOFIC · Major news · Grade BOpen source →