Taxi Blues

The events unfold during the late Soviet era in Moscow, a time of transition as openness grows and everyday life remains shaped by restrictions. The atmosphere blends smoky clubs, crowded housing, and the tension between tradition and new opportunities. This period provides the tension that drives the characters' choices and fates.

Set in Moscow in the late 1980s, the film uses the city’s dense urban spaces and nightlife as its backdrop. The shared apartment and the streets are characters in themselves, shaping the dynamics between characters. The setting reflects a society on the cusp of change, where art, ideology, and daily struggle collide.

🤝 Friendship

The central bond between Alexey and Ivan anchors the narrative, showing how two very different men can influence one another. Their conversations blur lines between art, responsibility, and personal loyalty. Through humor, conflict, and moments of vulnerability, the film explores the resilience of an unlikely friendship.

🥃 Addiction

Alcoholism is a recurring obstacle that tests character and resolve. Alexey’s drinking drives reckless choices and creates friction with Ivan, while also revealing his moments of clarity and vulnerability. The story traces the difficulty of breaking free and the costs of relapse, within a world that both enables and judges him.

🎷 Art & Freedom

The saxophone and music stand as a conduit for aspiration and escape. Yet artistic dreams collide with practical limits and state ideology, forcing the characters to weigh personal freedom against social constraints. The film uses music to examine what it means to pursue art under pressure and the toll it takes on relationships.

🎯 Ambition & Destiny

A chance to perform abroad and a provocative opportunity from Hal Singer illuminate a broader horizon beyond Moscow. The pursuit of a larger stage clashes with responsibilities at home, pushing the characters toward divergent paths. The tension culminates in choices that reflect loyalty, resilience, and the cost of chasing dreams.