In conjunction with the Queens Museum’s exhibition about the Ramones, this 9-week film series highlights the evolution of musical performers. We will explore not only the creative process and the inspirational power of music, but the business of career-building. Each movie is introduced by Mark Ethan Toporek, who also leads a post-screening discussion. He is a member of the Actors’ Studio, who has appeared in films including The Secret Lives of Dentists, The Confession and Lesser Prophets. He has been presenting the Film Series at the Queens Museum since 1998, and at 92Y since 2003.

Whiplash (2014), directed by Damien Chazelle, 107 min. The tense relationship between a student at a music conservatory who wants to achieve greatness and a demanding professor (Oscar-winning performance by J. K. Simmons) who may be pushing him too far.

This film series takes place in the second-floor theater and is free with Museum admission and open to the general public (with a special invitation to seniors).