Damien Chazelle

Musicians who give up everything to be great, and a question about whether it was worth it. In Whiplash a young drummer studies under a ferocious, bullying teacher. La La Land follows an aspiring actress and a jazz pianist trying to make it in Los Angeles. First Man turns the same drive toward Neil Armstrong and the mission that took him to the Moon.

Signature

• Jazz, rhythm and editing cut to the beat.
• Drumming and piano playing filmed in close-up.
• Classic musical style revived (La La Land).
• The Moon mission seen from inside the capsule (First Man).