FIMUCITÉ

Justin Hurwitz is an accomplished American film composer and television writer, best known for his close collaboration with director Damien Chazelle in award-winning films such as Whiplash (2014), La La Land (2016), First Man (2018) and Babylon (2022). Hurwitz's music, spanning genres and defying conventions, is a testament to his prodigious talent and firm grasp of cinematic narrative. His work, characterized by emotional depth and craftsmanship, has left an indelible imprint on modern film scoring.

His collaboration with Damien Chazelle continues to yield remarkable works.

Hurwitz was born in Los Angeles, California, to writer and director Ken and nurse Gail. He started playing the piano at six years old, igniting his passion for music. Hurwitz later attended Harvard University, where he met his future collaborator, Chazelle. The pair were part of a pop band called Chester French, but they soon discovered a shared love for films, leading to them developing projects together.

After college, Hurwitz and Chazelle moved to Los Angeles, where they began their professional careers.

Their first major project was the critically acclaimed film Guy And Madeline On A Park Bench (2009), an independent black-and-white romantic musical where Hurwitz was responsible for the score. This was the proving ground for their partnership, laying the groundwork for future collaborations like Whiplash and La La Land.

Guy And Madeline On A Park Bench tells the story of a young couple living in Boston – a jazz trumpeter and a shy introvert – exploring the complexities of love and relationships.

The film blends elements of cinema vérité (French for “truthful cinema”), the French New Wave, and the American musical tradition.

Hurwitz's score mirrors these influences. It's a fusion of traditional jazz, big band sounds, and orchestral music that complements the narrative and becomes an integral part of it. Much like the characters in the film, the music is filled with a sense of longing, improvisation, and emotional depth.

The cue "Boy In the Park" is a boisterous number, with brief sections punctuated by forceful drums and punchy brass accents. The piece could have been a classic of the Benny Goodman or Count Basie Orchestras.

The duo gained significant attention with the film Whiplash, a gripping story about a young jazz drummer and his ruthless instructor. Hurwitz composed the film's score, blending classical music and jazz in a riveting soundscape that paralleled the intense on-screen action. Hurwitz's score for Whiplash was a significant milestone in his career and a vital component of the film's critical success.

The story revolves around a young jazz drummer named Andrew. Enrolling at a prestigious music conservatory, he falls under the tutelage of a ruthless instructor.

Hurwitz skillfully combined his classical training with jazz compositions, creating a soundscape that becomes integral to the narrative. He intricately blended jazz standards with his original score, using the music to underscore the emotional dynamics between characters.

The title track, "Whiplash", is a high-energy jazz piece that underscores the film's relentless pace. Hurwitz's interpretation of the Hank Levy piece becomes a leitmotif representing Andrew's ambition and Fletcher's relentless drive for perfection.

Hurwitz's breakthrough came with La La Land, a film that combined their love for music and cinema in a modern-day musical set in Los Angeles. He composed the score and co-wrote the songs for the film, including the award-winning "City Of Stars". Hurwitz won two Academy Awards for his work on the film: “Best Original Score”, as well as “Best Original Song” for "City of Stars". The film, a romantic musical directed by Chazelle, tells the story of aspiring actress Mia and jazz musician Sebastian, who meet and fall in love in Los Angeles.

Hurwitz began working on the score even before the film was financed. He and Chazelle spent about three years discussing the film's music and themes. Hurwitz composed the music on piano and then orchestrated it for 95 musicians, which created a lush, richly textured sound reminiscent of classic Hollywood musicals.

The score perfectly encapsulates the film's homage to classic musicals while maintaining a contemporary sensibility. It oscillates between joyous, sweeping orchestral pieces, melancholic piano solos, and lively jazz numbers.

The opening number, "Another Day Of Sun", sets the tone with a big ensemble that captures Los Angeles’ everyday energy, dreams and frustration. Hurwitz's work on La La Land was widely praised for its technical proficiency, emotional depth, and how it harkened back to the golden age of Hollywood – while still feeling modern.

His ability to weave melody and emotion into the narrative fabric of the film established him as a leading film composer. It marked a high point in his ongoing collaboration with Chazelle.

Continuing their collaboration, Hurwitz and Chazelle worked together on the film First Man, a biographical drama about astronaut Neil Armstrong. Hurwitz's score provided an atmospheric and emotional backbone for the film. He utilized unconventional instruments such as the theremin and an Echoplex to create the film's unique sound, reflecting the unease and wonder of space travel.

Babylon marks the fifth time Hurwitz and Chazelle have teamed up. Hurwitz invested approximately three years in crafting a distinctive musical ambiance for Babylon, aimed to authentically portray the 1920s while simultaneously moving away from the traditional jazz music associated with that era – a feat he found challenging. Hurwitz succeeded in devising a novel blend of music that corresponded with the film's wild, free-spirited nature, using jazz band instruments in innovative ways and incorporating influences from rock and roll and modern dance music.

Elements of the soundtrack feature frenzied performances by a 100-piece orchestra recorded in Los Angeles and various cues incorporating circus sounds.

Hurwitz acknowledged the pivotal role of unique musicians in realizing the score, giving credit to Sean Jones, Dontae Winslow, Ludovic Louis, Jacob Scesney, and Leo Pellegrino for their significant contributions.

Hurwitz has shown a distinct ability to evoke emotional depth through music, often seamlessly blending genres to fit the mood of the films he scores.

His collaborations with Chazelle have produced some of the most memorable soundtracks in contemporary cinema, marking him as one of the most influential composers of his generation. As we anticipate future projects, one thing remains certain – Justin Hurwitz will continue redefining music's role in storytelling, marking him as one of the most significant film composers of his generation.