TAXI ZUM KLO

West Germany, 1981, 92 minutes, Colour.
Bernd Broaderup, Frank Ripploh.
Directed by Frank Ripploh.

Taxi Zum Klo was written and directed by gay film-maker Frank Ripploh. The film also stars himself in a central (even narcissistic) role and performance.

The film is designed for gay sensibilities. However, it was marketed for universal release. The film focuses on Frank, his background and relationship with his mother, his picking up men and their abusing and robbing him, his friendships, his work. His behaviour, relationships, sexual activity are presented in somewhat explicit style.

His mother pressurises him to marry, he employs an actress to go through the formalities of marriage with him. Much of the screenplay is given to the planning as well as the ceremony - however, Frank is carrying on with male friends even at the ceremony.

He takes his wife to his home, there is a neighbour, a computer expert who rides naked in the morning. The expert has a seductive eye on Frank's wife - as well as experiencing a homosexual encounter with Frank. Frank is also involved with a Turkish model for photography. (There is ironic presentation of neighbours with eyes scandalised and askance at Frank's behaviour.)

There is also some presentation of aversion therapy for the cure of homosexuality (reminiscent of A Clockwork Orange for Alex and his violence). The film pokes fun at the attempts of aversion therapy to cure homosexual orientation and behaviour. Finally Frank escapes and goes back to his ordinary life.

The film is part of the German film industry of the 1980s as well as the movement for a gay cinema. Ripploh is irreverent, has a sense of humour, is quite open about his behaviour and his amoral stances.