Episode 3: Frank Ripploh's TAXI ZUM KLO (1980)

Cruising the Movies

On this episode, Liz and KJ are excited to discuss one of their all-time favorites: Frank Ripploh's 1980 debut, TAXI ZUM KLO. Still more thrilling and funny than most of the films that have taken inspiration from it over the past four decades, TAXI ZUM KLO continues to spark conversations about community, identity, and commitment that still feel relevant.

We talk about the film’s thin (and sometimes invisible) line between truth and fiction, the bigger tensions in West German gay liberation, the recurring theme of gay teachers in queer Western films in the 70s and 80s, and the very real reason why this film actually may hit you differently depending on when and where you see it.

Speaking of: if you’re in the New York City area, make sure to catch our screening of TAXI ZUM KLO at the IFC Center on Tuesday, June 11 at 7:00PM. We’re screening an all-new restoration—and it’s the first time the film has played in the city in five years! See you there!