Chloé Zhao, Going Behind the Scenes

Linda Marie Curry — September 10, 2025

Chloé Zhao was born in Beijing, China and in her 40’s. Her culture and heritage are important to her, however she doesn’t rely on her nationality to get work. She is known mainly for work on Independent films. Chloé Zhao is the second of three women to win the Academy Award for Best Director. And that for a film she wrote, directed and produced Nomadland. Her film has garnished her with international recognition and was based on the non-fiction book, Nomadland. After she put out Eternals, she took a 4-year break and returned with HAMNET.

HAMNET is the untold love story that inspired Shakespeare’s greatest masterpiece. Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal star in HAMNET. Academy Award® winning Writer and Director Chloé Zhao tells a powerful story. One of love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet

Chloé’s storytelling study’s grief, solitude and unspoken promises we make ourselves and each other. The artistic and dramatic visualisation of the screenplay is in her own unique style. She is like a journalist; getting to know the story. Chloé draws a razor sharp line between sentiment and  sentimentality.  

HAMNET Official Teaser Trailer by Chloé Zhao

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If you look closely at her films you will see a lot rooted in the traditions and philosophy from her culture and how she grew up. She likes to place the camera to evoke more feeling. These experiences help shape her storytelling.  

Nomadland
Following the economic collapse of a company town in rural Nevada, Fern (Frances McDormand) packs her van and sets off on the road exploring a life outside of conventional society as a modern-day nomad. NOMADLAND features real nomads Linda May, Swankie and Bob Wells as Fern’s mentors and comrades in her exploration through the vast landscape of the American West.

One thing Chloé Zhao learnt early on is you have to surround yourself with the right people. You can’t control the way they think and they need to want to be around you because of who you are and protect you. She feels very fortunate amongst with people from the film community she has worked with on films, they look out for each other and check in to make sure you are ok?  

NOMADLAND Official Trailer by Chloé Zhao

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It is good to have hard conversations by reaching out. Chloé Zhao finds inspiration in other filmmakers she has a lot in common with. She is a doer and works hard to achieve the best for a film. Independent or Marvel. She is a visionary in the arts as a filmmaker. Chloé likes to foster a collaborative informant environment where discussions and experimentation are an encouragment. She sees interaction between people and has that connection in her characters and film.  

Chloé says we need to be supportive of each other and keep theatres and film alive, go the extra mile, especially if a government doesn’t see value or pay much attention to the arts. She grew yup on MCU and SY FY so its no wonder she is a huge fan. She likes to take the imagination and humbleness of the team and cook up something the might be a little different, like in Eternals.  

Chloé has a distinctive style that progressed from her college work. She focuses on the authenticity of themes and places an emphasis on real stories. She uses a combination of unsettling and bizarre composition. Her emotional depth delves into personal experiences and observation. As a child her experience navigating her cultural identity. plays a big part in her storytelling.  

THE RIDER Official Trailer (2017) by Chloé Zhao

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The Rider
Based on his a true story, THE RIDER stars breakout Brady Jandreau as a once rising star of the rodeo circuit warned that his competition days are over after a tragic riding accident. Back home, Brady finds himself wondering what he has to live for when he can no longer do what gives him a sense of purpose: to ride and compete. In an attempt to regain control of his fate, Brady undertakes a search for new identity and tries to redefine his idea of what it means to be a man in the heartland of America.

She has an understanding of technology that allows her to achieve a high level of artist control over her unique style. Chloé has the ability to coax a genuine performance from both professional and non-professional actors. People feel comfortable around her because she has a clear vision and understanding of what she wants to achieve in the film. Effective communication is always the key. 

Chloé is open to suggestions and ideas and willing to try different approaches. She is well-versed  in many different genres. She was given a good amount of freedom and creative control when making Eternals. Some of  the challenges she faces was fighting for locations.  

SONGS MY BROTHERS TAUGHT ME Official Trailer by Chloé Zhao

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Even though the world of Eternals was fantastical Chloé wanted reality in the locations. Learning to balance practical locations with green screens is a great demand on anyone for scale. Chloé has been involved in Independent films and the MCU film Eternals. She has won 27 or more awards for Independent films and received recognition with nominations  for Eternals by MTV & TV Awards as well as GLAAD Media awards. According to digital spy.

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