Chloé Zhao, the acclaimed director behind 'Nomadland' and 'Eternals', delves into her unique perspective as a neurodivergent filmmaker. In a recent interview at the BFI London Film Festival, she shared her insights on her career and the challenges she faces as an actor's director. Zhao's neurodivergence, she explains, grants her an extraordinary ability to recognize patterns and an extreme sensitivity to dissonance, which she finds both helpful and overwhelming.
Zhao's journey began with a fascination for manga and a desire to tell stories through fantasy and mythology. This passion led her to direct 'Eternals', a departure from her previous realistic films. She describes her life experiences as a 'volcano' of ideas, constantly bubbling and shaping her artistic vision. Growing up in Beijing, Zhao and her family had the opportunity to watch one Western film a week, starting with 'The Terminator' and continuing with 'Ghost' and 'Sister Act'.
Her neurodivergence, Zhao believes, is a superpower. It allows her to predict situations and understand the underlying emotions of her actors, even off-camera. This sensitivity to dissonance can be challenging, as it makes small talk difficult. However, she finds it rewarding when actors share their true feelings, creating a deeper connection to the characters.
Despite the challenges, Zhao embraces her neurodivergence and aims to create a healthy and fulfilling world, both on and off the camera. Her unique perspective has earned her critical acclaim and a place among the most talented filmmakers of her generation.
