La La Land (Film)

La La Land (City of Stars) is a 2016 American musical drama film written and directed by Damien Chazelle. The film explores the intersecting lives of a jazz pianist and a young woman pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles.

La La Land tells the story of a romance between two young artists in Los Angeles striving to advance their careers: Mia Dolan, who dreams of becoming an actress, and Sebastian Wilder, a pianist devoted to traditional jazz. The film centers on the development of their relationship from their first encounters, showing how it deepens over time and how conflicts between personal ambitions and emotional bonds ultimately shape their connection. The narrative gradually reveals each character’s struggle to achieve their dreams, the sacrifices required, and the impact these sacrifices have on their relationship. As time passes, Mia secures a major opportunity in her acting career while Sebastian is forced to abandon his dream of opening a jazz club. In the end, the two go their separate ways, but an alternative future sequence presented to the audience illustrates how their lives might have unfolded had they stayed together.

The film addresses themes such as the impact of art on the individual, the effect of personal ambitions on relationships, and the structural challenges encountered on the path to success. It particularly aims to depict these themes by blending traditional musical elements with contemporary urban life.

The film also examines the transformative power of art on the individual. Mia and Sebastian not only realize their own talents but also shape each other’s artistic identities. In this way, the film conveys the message that art is as powerful a force in defining identity as love. Simultaneously, the film interrogates the theme of balancing love and career. The affection the two characters feel for each other motivates them to pursue their individual goals, yet the nature of these goals makes sustaining their relationship difficult. The film reveals that love is not merely an emotional experience but also a guiding force.

• Ryan Gosling – Sebastian Wilder
• Emma Stone – Mia Dolan
• John Legend – Keith
• Rosemarie DeWitt – Laura Wilder
• J.K. Simmons – Bill
• Finn Wittrock – Greg
• Callie Hernandez – Tracy
• Sonoya Mizuno – Caitlin
• Jessica Rothe – Alexis

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The screenplay was written by director Damien Chazelle in 2010. The project was delayed for several years due to various financial and producer-related obstacles. The film was produced through a partnership between Summit Entertainment and Black Label Media. Principal photography began in August 2015 in Los Angeles and was completed in approximately 40 days. Cinematography was handled by Linus Sandgren.

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89th Academy Awards (2017):

• Best Director – Damien Chazelle (Won)
• Best Actress – Emma Stone (Won)
• Best Cinematography – Linus Sandgren (Won)
• Best Original Score – Justin Hurwitz (Won)
• Best Original Song – “City of Stars” (Won)
• Best Production Design (Won)
• Best Picture (Nominated)
• Best Actor – Ryan Gosling (Nominated)
• Best Original Screenplay – Damien Chazelle (Nominated)
• Best Film Editing (Nominated)
• Best Costume Design (Nominated)
• Best Sound Editing (Nominated)
• Best Sound Mixing (Nominated)
• Best Original Song – “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” (Nominated)

74th Golden Globe Awards (2017):

• Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Won)
• Best Director – Damien Chazelle (Won)
• Best Actor – Musical or Comedy – Ryan Gosling (Won)
• Best Actress – Musical or Comedy – Emma Stone (Won)
• Best Screenplay – Damien Chazelle (Won)
• Best Original Score – Justin Hurwitz (Won)
• Best Original Song – “City of Stars” (Won)

70th BAFTA Awards (2017):

• Best Film (Won)
• Best Director – Damien Chazelle (Won)
• Best Actress – Emma Stone (Won)
• Best Cinematography – Linus Sandgren (Won)
• Best Film Music – Justin Hurwitz (Won)
• Six additional nominations in other categories

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Sebastian Wilder: A pianist dedicated to jazz music. Despite economic hardships, he is committed to preserving traditional jazz. This goal is central to his life choices.

Mia Dolan: A character pursuing an acting career. Throughout the film, she faces industry obstacles and strives to balance her personal relationships with her professional ambitions.

All music in the film was composed by Justin Hurwitz, with lyrics written by Pasek & Paul. Songs such as “City of Stars” and “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” play a functional role in the film’s narrative structure. The film’s musical score has won numerous awards and has been released independently alongside the film.