Summary: Damien Chazelle (writer/director), Ryan Gosling (actor), Justin Hurwitz (composer), Tom Cross (editor) and Jordan Horowitz (producer) at The Landmark in West Los Angeles. Moderated by by Jenelle Riley (Variety). Film synopsis: Written and directed by Academy Award nominee Damien Chazelle (Whiplash), La La Land tells the story of Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress who serves lattes to movie stars in a studio lot café between rushing out to unsuccessful auditions, and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a dedicated jazz musician, reduced to tinkling out tunes in a cocktail lounge to earn a living. They meet cute and initially resist each other, but quickly fall in love. Both are romantics pursuing their dreams in a city known for crushing hopes and breaking hearts. Los Angeles has never looked more beautiful than in this loving tribute to musicals, both classic Hollywood and those of Jacques Demy, miraculously revitalizing the genre. Composer Justin Hurwitz provides the lovely songs, with lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. With John Legend, Finn Wittrock and J.K. Simmons. Dazzling and delightful, La La Land won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival, and the Best Actress Prize (Emma Stone) at the Venice Film Festival.
