What Else Has Damien Chazelle Done? Breaking Down the La La Land Director's Career
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With La La Land currently sweeping award season, we've got our eyes on director Damien Chazelle. He has already scored an Oscar nomination and won the Critics' Choice Award and the Golden Globe for best director, which is quite an accomplishment for such a young filmmaker — he's only 31 years old! It's even more impressive when you realize that this is Chazelle's second award-season tour. If you're unfamiliar with the director, or you just want a refresher on his work, here's what you need to know about his career in film!
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Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench (2009)
Chazelle's feature debut was this black-and-white indie, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. He wrote, directed, and even had a small part in the film. Though it didn't gain much attention at the time, critics are now taking notice of the movie thanks to its similar storyline to La La Land. The plot centers around a young couple, aspiring jazz trumpeter Guy and his aimless girlfriend, Madeline.
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The Last Exorcism Part II (2013)
Yep, the Golden Globe winner co-wrote the screenplay for this poorly received horror sequel.
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Grand Piano (2013)
Elijah Wood stars as a talented pianist who is being tortured by sadistic John Cusack in this surreal thriller. If you missed it, you can watch it on Netflix!
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Whiplash (2014)
Chazelle made it to the big leagues when he wrote and directed this award season darling, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Starring Miles Teller as a young drummer, the movie went onto the Cannes and Toronto festivals before winning Oscars for best supporting actor (J.K. Simmons, who basically swept award season), achievement in film editing, and sound mixing.
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10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
Did you know that La La Land isn't Chazelle's only hit of 2016? He co-wrote the screenplay for 10 Cloverfield Lane, the horror-thriller starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman!
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La La Land (2016)
And of course, Chazelle has been thrust into the spotlight because of La La Land. We'll be following his award season all the way until the Oscars!