Taxi zum Klo
(Frank Ripploh, 1980, West Germany, 94 minutes)
New 4K restoration!
A major text of queer cinema (and featured in the British documentary Scala!!!, which we ran in July 2024), Frank Ripploh’s autobiographical rom-com Taxi zum Klo (a/k/a Taxi to the Toilet) has been newly restored in 4K for its 45th anniversary rerelease. We follow dedicated West Berlin teacher Frank (writer/director/producer Ripploh) who, by night, enjoys exploring Berlin’s underground cruising spots. Meeting potential partner Bernd, a museum employee, spurs recalibration of priorities between anonymous lust and the comforts of a more domesticated lifestyle. Quite frank in its depiction of being a gay man in early 80s Germany, in terms of sex, medical exams, and everything in between, Taxi zum Klo was a sensation at the 1981 New York Film Festival and has largely been seen on a very low-quality DVD release in recent years, so it’s with great pleasure to present this pristine new restoration.
In German with English subtitles.
New 4K restoration!
A major text of queer cinema (and featured in the British documentary Scala!!!, which we ran in July 2024), Frank Ripploh’s autobiographical rom-com Taxi zum Klo (a/k/a Taxi to the Toilet) has been newly restored in 4K for its 45th anniversary rerelease. We follow dedicated West Berlin teacher Frank (writer/director/producer Ripploh) who, by night, enjoys exploring Berlin’s underground cruising spots. Meeting potential partner Bernd, a museum employee, spurs recalibration of priorities between anonymous lust and the comforts of a more domesticated lifestyle. Quite frank in its depiction of being a gay man in early 80s Germany, in terms of sex, medical exams, and everything in between, Taxi zum Klo was a sensation at the 1981 New York Film Festival and has largely been seen on a very low-quality DVD release in recent years, so it’s with great pleasure to present this pristine new restoration.
In German with English subtitles.