WHIPLASH - 4K RE-RELEASE - A CHAT WITH DIRECTOR DAMIEN CHAZELLE

The hit film, Whiplash is getting a 10 year Anniversary re-release celebration!

The music is pure bliss.  But the musician himself is fraught (literally) with blood, sweat, tears and fear in Whiplash, Damien Chazelle’s sizzling drama that burst into theatres 10 years ago.  Now it’s being re-released in 4K resolution.  A double winner at Sundance 2014 (Grand Jury Prize/Audience
Award), the film went on to grab three Oscars, including Best Supporting Actor for J.K. Simmons. 

The film also kick-started the career of Chazelle who, in 2017 with La La Land, became the youngest Oscar winner for Best Director.

Drawing on his own experiences, American writer/director Chazelle tells the story of Andrew (Miles Teller), a 19-year-old jazz drummer who’s in first year at an elite east-coast music conservatory.  Haunted by the failed writing career of his father (Paul Reiser), Andrew hungers to be great.  But his ruthless teacher (a mesmerizing J.K. Simmons) pushes Andrew to the brink of his ability – and insanity.  Melissa Benoist stars as Andrew’s love interest. 

Chazelle’s short (also Whiplash and based on part of the feature’s screenplay) won the Short Film Jury Award for U.S. Fiction at Sundance 2013.  His first feature (student-made Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench) also dealt with jazz.

10th Anniversary 4K re-release WHIPLASH returns September 20 to theatres, including Toronto, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Edmonton,Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria and many more!

This one’s from the archives folks. Please enjoy my ORIGINAL interview with Director Damien Chazelle conducted 10 years ago when WHIPLASH was just about to be released in threatres.