World Premiere
Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench
Discovery
| USA | 82 MINUTES | EnglishComedy, Romantic Comedy
Writer/director Damien Chazelle combines the cinematic sensibilities of Cassavetes and Godard in a gritty, 16mm, MGM-style musical. Backed by an alternately rollicking and melancholy score by Justin Hurwitz, Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench tracks a pair of young lovers after they meet by chance in a Boston park and bond over a passion for old-timey music. But like his constantly searching camera, Chazelle doesn't linger too long in any one place in the story. Soon Guy (Jason Palmer) and Madeline (Desiree Garcia) are separated and searching for new romance on city streets and in smoke-filled jazz clubs. Guy has an electrifying chance encounter with the lovely Elena (Sandha Khin), and Madeline entertains new suitors along with her own dreams of escaping to New York, but love may ultimately lead them back to one another.
The song-and-dance numbers in this youthful and original take on the musical come as a natural overflow of the lovelorn characters' emotions, allowing shy, doe-eyed Madeline to express what she can't always say in plain talk. Guy, meanwhile, lets his trumpet (yes, that's really pro trumpeter Palmer playing) speak for his heart, proving once again that artistic talent is exponentially related to sex appeal.
Cast & Credits
Directed by
Damien Chazelle
Damien Chazelle (b. 1985) grew up in Paris and Princeton, New Jersey, where he devoted himself to jazz drumming, playing everywhere from Berlin jazz clubs to New York street corners and subway stops. In 2003, he won for best solo drums at America's Best High School Jazz Competition and outstanding rhythm section soloist at the Dunellen Invitational Jazz Festival. Guy and Madeline began as a short for Damien's senior thesis when he was an undergraduate at Harvard University. He eventually left school to expand the film into his first feature and worked on it for three years, shooting off and on as money came in.
Choreographer
Kelly Kaleta
Co-Producer
Mihai Dinulescu
Screenwriter
Damien Chazelle
Director
Damien Chazelle
Composer
Justin Hurwitz
Producer
Jasmine McGlade
Primary Cast
Jason Palmer, Desiree Garcia, Sandha Khin, Andre Hayward, Frank Garvin, Alma Prelec
Executive Producer
W.A.W. Parker
Contacts
Print Source
Damien Chazelle
10599 Wilshire Boulevard, #405 Los Angeles, CA 90024
Phone: 424 832 3855
damienchazelle@gmail.com
10599 Wilshire Boulevard, #405 Los Angeles, CA 90024
Phone: 424 832 3855
damienchazelle@gmail.com
* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues
other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.
