Taxi to the Toilet (Taxi zum Klo)
Dir. Frank Ripploh W Germany 1981 98′ (18)
35mm transferred to digital video | In German with English subtitles
Frank, a dedicated schoolteacher, embraces the sexual freedoms of the city’s underground scene—navigating a double life in public toilets, cinemas and cruising spots. When Frank (played by director Frank Ripploh himself) meets Bernd, a sweet and steady museum worker, he finds himself torn between the comfort of domestic partnership and the allure of anonymous desire.
‘Released in the UK in 1982, Taxi zum Klo was groundbreaking in its unhysterical depiction of contemporary urban gay life. It was part of an international wave of gay films in the late 70s, the most notable of which, from a British perspective, were Derek Jarman’s Sebastiane (1976) and Ron Peck’s Nighthawks (1978) … Taxi zum Klo shows a neon-illumined city in motion – seen through the rain-flecked windows of Frank’s Karmann Ghia. As he drives, he reflects in voiceover while a minimal electronic soundtrack pulses.’ —Jon Savage, The Guardian
Baltic Cinema’s Selected strand shows films selected by Baltic’s artists and partners, and special presentations. Cecil B Demented has been selected by Kuba Ryniewicz, currently exhibiting in Close to Home, as part of a season of films. Kuba Ryniewicz joins us to introduce the film and open the season, which continues into October and November.
Level 1 Cinema
Doors open 18:00; Film starts 18:30. Pop-up cinema bar open from 18:00 for drinks.
Baltic Cinema is supported by Film Hub North
