Every day for the past 67 years, 90-year-old cab driver Johnnie “Spider” Footman has shown up for work at one of New York City’s most eclectic communities—the taxi garage across from the river from the United Nations. The garage is a kind of a refugee camp in the heart of New York, a city where drivers have come for protection from human rights abuses, racism and economic instability.
But to be a cabbie demands reserves of patience and persistence, in the face of long hours, disrespectful customers, blinding blizzards and a host of other challenges.
Filmmaker Joshua Z Weinstein directed the feature film Menashe, which was released by A24 and nominated for a Gotham Award for “Breakthrough Director,” as well as an Independent Spirit Award for “Best First Feature.” He has also directed the documentaries Drivers Wanted, Flying On Engine, and I Beat Mike Tyson. As a cinematographer he has lensed Sell/Buy/Date, Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me and Bikini Moon. Born in New York City, Joshua has been a Coop member on and off since 2008.
This documentary will be screened on this Zoom link on Thursday, February 8th at 7p.m. Director Joshua Z Weinstein will be present for a Q+A after the screening.
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