Hurwitz

Written and directed by Academy Award nominee Damien Chazelle, La La Land tells the story of Mia [Emma Stone], an aspiring actress, and Sebastian [Ryan Gosling], a dedicated jazz musician, who are struggling to make ends meet. Set in modern day Los Angeles, this original musical about everyday life explores the joy and pain of pursuing your dreams.

Before he went on to direct the smash-hit films La La Land and Whiplash, Damien Chazelle began his career with Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench. A jazz musical film written and directed by Chazelle while he attended Harvard, Guy and Madeline tells the story of a young couple, an up-and-coming trumpeter and an aimless introvert, whose relationship falls apart as the glow of their new love fades. Heartbreak, hope and regret follow as the two try to find meaning in their new lives apart from one another. Chazelle was steadfast that a film so focused on the world of jazz and tap would need an excellent score. Luckily fellow Harvard student Justin Hurwitz was recruited to the challenge of composing Guy and Madeline, which he flourished at. Hurwitz meshes the classic big band sound of early 20th century jazz sensibilities with smaller progressive ensemble pieces and lyrics written by Chazelle to delightful results. Now available for the first time, Guy and Madeline shows the early genesis of a Hollywood partnership that would be responsible for multiple modern classics.