First year college student Andrew would do anything to become a famous musician. His commitment is put to the ultimate test when the unrelenting and eccentric band professor Fletcher all but drives him to madness. Fletcher′s extreme teaching methods rattle Andrew′s faith in drumming and in himself. To select films for Open Cinema section is probably one of the most difficult things to our programmers including myself because it will be screened at the theater with nearly 5,000 seats to fill. Frankly, the director Damien Chazelle and the main cast, Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons are not super famous in Asia and not many people here have heard about this film (maybe they will after the screenings). But I didn’t hesitate at all to select Whiplash for Open Cinema. I am not going to talk much about how great this film is except that it received the standing ovations when it was screened at Sundance and Cannes. Just watch the film, and you will know what I mean. (Dosin PAK)