Fifty years ago, Martin Scorseseteamed up with screenwriter Paul Schrader to bring cinema one of the most influential, terrifying, and honest movies the industry had ever seen. In the starring role of Travis Bickle, Robert De Nirocemented himself as one of the greats, and beside him, Jodie Fosterkicked her career to new heights with her breakout performance. Last night at the Tribeca Festival, all four of these icons of the medium came together to talk about the film's staying power before a special screening of the Palme d'Or winning classic.
Schrader and Scorsese also spoke at length about how this loneliness is captured in the symbology of the film. Schrader described how the yellow taxi cab is a profound symbol of loneliness in his eyes, and that it was the first image he had before he began writing the script. Scorsese added that the symbolism of the vehicle didn't click until the first shot of the movie, when we see the cab emerge from the steam of a New York City summer night.
The New York Connection
The two spoke at length about how New York was a mess when the film was made, and there was a pervasive alienation that they inherently understood, both being from the city. Growing up in a broken place imbued some broken feeling within them, with Scorsese sighting the normalcy of a garbage strike to him.
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Speaking of her upbringing, she talked about how her mother would take her to the movies all the time as a child, and how one day, she saw Scorsese's breakout film Mean Streets. She said from the moment she saw that movie, she wanted to work with Scorsese.
Foster went on to speak about how incredible of a learning experience it was for her, saying that it was the movie that made her want to be an actor. She spoke about going to breakfast every day with De Niro to prepare for their scenes, and him teaching her about improv. That exercise is what made her realize her passion for the craft.
The Joys of Production
Many stories of laughter were told, especially surrounding Scorsese's uncontrollable giggles during the shooting of the film's harrowing final sequence. The legendary director found the practical effects absolutely hilarious.
As they were shooting, the assistant director was banging on the door trying to get the crew out of there since they were so behind, and Scorsese reminisced that he shut the door on the AD, and let the scene continue on.
Of course, no Taxi Driver reunion would be complete without De Niro being pushed to say his iconic line, which the audience was delighted by.
View this post on InstagramThe Evening As a Whole
This was my first time seeing it in a theater, and I was really moved by how devoid of love the whole film is. A scene I had forgotten about that really epitomized the themes of the movie for me was the scene featuring Jackson Browne's "Late for the Sky." Travis sits in his living room watching couples on TV dancing as the song plays, the lyrics of which are about a love fading and dying.
The evening was a wonderful experience for all in attendance, and I am beyond lucky to have been there.
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