Taxi Driver (1976)

Together with Milk Made, we present Sounds & Scores, a celebration of favourite soundtracks and scores.

In a new series, we highlight the iconic use of music in Martin Scorsese's films. Scorsese is one of the pioneers in using pop and rock songs in his soundtracks, or as he himself says: ‘the music we used to hear on the streets.’ It started with Be My Baby in the opening of Mean Streets (1973), and music has played a central role in his films ever since.

His great love of music can be heard in Goodfellas (1990), with songs by Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett and his favourite, The Rolling Stones. In addition, Scorsese collaborated with great composers such as Howard Shore and Bernard Herrmann. Howard Shore, composer of more than 80 film scores, composed the film After Hours (1985). Bernard Herrmann, who worked extensively with Alfred Hitchcock, composed Taxi Driver (1976). A few hours after he finished the score, he died, and this was his last work on the big screen.

This evening we screen Taxi Driver at our Cinema: ‘Someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets.’ In 1970s New York City, war veteran Travis Bickle works nights as a taxi driver. Slowly he loses his grip on reality, and his urge for violence grows.

Before the film, there will be an introduction, focusing on Scorsese's approach to music, and a musical intro by a saxophonist playing the film theme live. In the UP there is also the programme Flea Market, with emerging soul and hip-hop artists live on stage.

Melkweg often hosts different types of programmes at the same time, such as concerts, club nights and films. Please note that there may occasionally be some noise pollution from other programmes during the screening.