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La La Land Cast

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

La La Land Cast · La La Land is an American musical film from 2016, written and directed by Damien Chazelle. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone play a jazz pianist and an aspiring actress who fall in love while pursuing their dreams in Los Angeles. The cast sing the songs themselves. The music was composed by Justin Hurwitz, who wrote the songs with the lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Chazelle and Hurwitz had come up with the idea as students at Harvard.

Music and breakthrough

The film opens with Another Day of Sun, a number that begins in a traffic jam in Los Angeles. Among the other songs we hear Someone in the Crowd, A Lovely Night, City of Stars and Audition (The Fools Who Dream). Chazelle drew inspiration from the French films of Jacques Demy, such as The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, and from classic Hollywood musicals such as Singin' in the Rain and An American in Paris. Jazz plays a large part in the story.

Influence

Many studios did not want to finance an original, contemporary jazz musical. After the success of Whiplash it did become possible. La La Land received fourteen Oscar nominations, a record that has been equalled, and won six Oscars, including best director and best actress. In doing so the film brought the musical back to a large audience.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Another Day of Sun and notice how an ordinary traffic moment turns into a big song-and-dance number with many voices. Which rhythms and instruments do you hear coming back?

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: ArtistsFilmmusical