Taxi Tales

TAXI TALES weaves together the journeys of three Berlin taxi drivers: Anna Maria, Erdal, and Matthias, who navigate a city alive with motion and stories after dark. The film unfolds a vivid mosaic of memories gathered through countless nights behind the wheel, fragments of wisdom, both subtle and profound and fleeting, unexpected moments of connection that reveal the hidden heartbeat of life itself.
As the city pulses outside their windows, these drivers become storytellers and philosophers of the night, reflecting on the lives they ferry, the artistry that guides them, and the memories that linger long after the meter stops. Their voices carry humor, solitude, resilience, and a quiet wisdom born from hours spent behind the wheel. Interwoven with archival footage spanning four decades, TAXI TALES bridges past and present, capturing Berlin’s evolving soul: its streets a stage where world history and everyday life collide. More than a mere depiction of a job, Taxi Tales negotiates poetically on the unexpected ties between existential questions and driving a Mercedes.

Director Elisabeth (Betsi) Schumacher

Betsi’s work is driven by a curiosity about people, their experiences, and the circumstances that shape their lives. During her years as a film student, she began creating biographical portraits of individuals she found fascinating and inspiring. This approach led to the short films "Karla" and "Nächtliche Mahlzeiten", followed by the short documentary "Dismissing Boys Club Mentality". In her filmmaking, personal stories are often connected to broader social structures and questions of power. With sensitivity and care, Betsi brings attention to perspectives that are often overlooked and stories that might otherwise remain untold. Her films are marked by close observation, emotional depth, and a genuine interest in the people at their center.

Director Statement

When I was a kid, my dad would pick me up in his taxi from time to time. This was always really special to me since the taxi had a unique elegance to it because of its wood trim and the warm smell of leather. Every now and then he’d tell stories about his experiences with passengers, which left a lasting impression on me. And he always said that the high earners never tip much, but those who look like they don’t have much themselves do. My dad wanted to be a painter, but as life goes, things got in the way. But when he talked about driving a taxi, it was never really negative - it was something great.

In this film, I wanted to hear from my own father how he reflects on his life’s journey. But since his story isn’t the only one worth telling, I also want to share the stories of Anna-Maria and Erdal. They’ve all experienced how unexpected events can set you on a different path, yet they’ve also found a sense of self-determination in what they do, and the wisdom that has emerged from that has deeply moved me.
Even though we’ve chosen an essayistic narrative style to convey our film, we shouldn’t overlook the challenges of everyday working life: low pay, physical and mental strain are just a few of the downsides of this profession. We also can’t ignore the fact that it is primarily people from working-class families and with histories of migration who are pushed into the service sector. TAXI TALES is one of many pieces of the puzzle addressing questions of wage labor, life, and self-determination, but above all, it offers a glimpse into the memories and experiences of three people from whom we can learn something about life.

Credits

Director: Elisabeth (Betsi) Schumacher

Producer: Zora Günther

Camera: Luise Hahn, Elisabeth (Betsi) Schumacher

Sound: Hannah Otte

Editing: Luzie Puell, Hannah Otte, Elisabeth (Betsi) Schumacher, Luise Hahn

Soundtrack: Leyla Baer (Yzel), Elisabeth (Betsi) Schumacher, Hannah Otte, Zora Günther

Archive material provided by Uli Happe

Key Cast: Anna-Maria, Erdal, Matthias

Specifications

Project Title (Original Language): TAXI TALES
Project Type: Documentary
Runtime: 22 minutes 7 seconds
Completion Date: January 10, 2026
Production Budget: 400 EUR
Country of Origin: Germany
Country of Filming: Germany
Language: German, Kurdish, Turkish
Shooting Format: 4K, 25 fps
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Film Color: Color
First-time Filmmaker: No
Student Project: Yes - Berliner Hochschule für Technik