A study of loneliness, crime and retribution that makes a third panel for the triptych which began with "Taxi Driver" and "American Gigolo". John le Tour is an up-market drug-dealer who has turned 40 and is facing a turning point in his life as his boss is about to quit drug-dealing.
Paul Schrader Knihy
Paul Schrader, a filmmaker whose career is often associated with the 'movie brat' generation, forged a unique path. His upbringing in a strict Calvinist household initially restricted his exposure to film, yet this fostered a deep, critical engagement with the medium upon his eventual study. Schrader's directorial and screenwriting work is characterized by a profound interest in transcendental cinema, drawing inspiration from directors like Bresson and Ozu, a passion he explored in his critical writings. His films are known for their bold stylistic and thematic explorations, often operating within the Hollywood framework while pushing its boundaries.
A loner, Travis Bickle, takes up driving a taxi in search of an escape from his sleeplessness and his disgust with the corruption he finds around him. His pent-up rage, fuelled by his doomed relationship with a political campaign worker, leads to an inevitable descent into psychosis and violence.
In A Hundred Years of Japanese Films , Richie offers an insider's look at the achievements of Japanese filmmakers. He begins in the late 1800s, when the industry took its inspiration from the traditional stories of Kabuki and Noh theater, and finishes in the present with the latest award-winning dramas showcased at Cannes. In between, Richie explores the roots of Japan's contribution to world cinema. He discusses the careers of Japan's rising stars and celebrated directors, and also offers a fascinating view of the strategies and politics of the movie studios themselves. A selective guide in the book's second part provides capsule reviews of the major Japanese films available in VHS and DVD formats, as well as those televised on standard and cable channels.