Damien Chazelle Reflects on 'Whiplash' as Film Reopens After 10 Years
On March 16, director Damien Chazelle held a virtual meeting with audiences in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and Daegu to celebrate the 10th anniversary re-release of his acclaimed film 'Whiplash.' The film, which originally debuted a decade ago, has quickly climbed to the third spot at the box office following its reopening on March 12, attracting over 12,000 viewers in just three days. 'Whiplash' tells the intense story of a student aspiring to be the best jazz drummer and his tyrannical instructor, a narrative that resonated deeply with audiences during its initial release in 2015, earning praise for its depiction of the competitive spirit prevalent among Koreans. The film was imported by the small distribution company Miravision for a mere 50 million KRW, yet it grossed an impressive 12.66 billion KRW.
During the virtual event, Chazelle expressed his desire to explore the concept of greatness, asking, "How can one achieve greatness, and what does greatness truly mean?" He shared his happiness that audiences continue to engage with the film and offer various interpretations. The live-streamed discussion reached over 1,000 viewers across three Megabox theaters.
Reflecting on the film a decade later, Chazelle admitted there are aspects he wishes he could change, but he ultimately feels that it captures his most authentic self at that time. At just 29 years old, he wrote and directed 'Whiplash,' which contains autobiographical elements from his own life. Chazelle dedicated five years to studying drums in his teenage years, striving to become a perfect drummer. He once wrote in a Los Angeles Times op-ed about practicing for eight hours a day in his basement. The scene where the protagonist Andrew rushes to a concert while bleeding from a car accident is based on Chazelle's real-life experience. Eventually realizing he would never become a 'great' drummer, he shifted his focus to studying visual environment at Harvard University.
The character of Fletcher, played by J.K. Simmons, is inspired by the conductor of the band Chazelle was part of. During the virtual discussion, Chazelle recalled giving Simmons a single direction: "Just scream like a beast," to which Simmons delivered an outstanding performance, embodying the character's intensity. Chazelle remarked on his luck in working with such a talented actor.
When asked whether the film has a happy or sad ending, Chazelle described it as a "happy ending wrapped in tragedy or a sad ending wrapped in comedy," leaving the interpretation up to the audience. He acknowledged that the pursuit of perfection he experienced as a teenager still lingers within him. Having won the Academy Award for Best Director for 'La La Land,' Chazelle stated, "There is still a peak I want to reach in my heart, and I want to keep striving to get there."
