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No táxi do Jack

Jack’s Ride
Forum 2021
© Terratreme Filmes, 2021
Joaquim is at the end of his working life. According to a deal made with his employer, he will be able to retire after a brief period of unemployment. But first he has to submit a few token job applications to prove that he has tried to find work. His tour takes him to industrial areas in the Portuguese countryside where factories stand idle. There is little work, but everyone needs some sort of employment, provided by government programmes if necessary. It is from here that Joaquim set out in the 70s to try his luck in New York, where he worked as a chauffeur and cab driver and saw the world. New York as a rear projection and autobiographical reference point forms an important theme in the film, which plays beautifully with the boundary between reality and fiction. Joaquim has style and an air of urbanity. Always well-groomed and wearing a flamboyant patterned shirt, he’s reminiscent of American television stars from the 70s when he drives around in his Mercedes Elegance, not least due to the 4:3 aspect ratio. He has played a lot of roles in his life: worker, immigrant, husband and friend. How will he do as a pensioner? It would be a pleasure to hear from him every now and then.
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by Susana Nobre (Written and Directed by)
with Amindo Martins Rato, Maria Carvalho, Joaquim Veríssimo Portugal 2021 Portuguese 70' Colour

Part of the Berlinale Summer Special

With

  • Amindo Martins Rato
  • Maria Carvalho
  • Joaquim Veríssimo

Crew

Written and Directed by Susana Nobre
Cinematography Paulo Menezes
Editing João Rosas, Susana Nobre
Sound Design Hugo Leitão
Sound João Gazua
Costumes Nádia Henriques
Assistant Director Diogo Allen
Production Manager Emidio Barbosa
Producer João Matos
Executive Producer João Matos

Produced by

Terratreme Filmes

Berlinale Meets | Interview

Susana Nobre

Born in 1974 in Lisbon, Portugal. She studied communications and works as a screenwriter, director and producer. She made her feature debut in 2018 with Tempo Comum following several short and documentary works.

Filmography

2003 O Que Pode Um Rosto (Daycare Hospital); 103 min. · Estados da Matéria (It Would Have Been Simple); 14 min. 2005 Estados da Matéria (It Would Have Been Simple); 14 min. 2010 Lisboa – Província (Lisbon-Province); 20 min. 2013 Vida Activa (Active Life); 92 min. 2015 Provas, Exorcismos (Trials, Exorcisms); 25 min. 2016 As Viagens Philosophicas (Tracking the Naturalists); 50 min., TV Documentary 2018 Tempo Comum (Ordinary Time); 64 min. 2021 No táxi do Jack (Jack's Ride); 70 min., Berlinale Forum 2023 Cidade Rabat; 101 min.

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2023