Chloe Zhao has made history again and this time, it was for her relative uniqueness among the 2023 Academy Awards nominees. The brilliant filmmaker, best known for her Oscar-winning film “Nomadland,” has broken new ground. She’s now the only woman director left on the shortlist for Best Director. Beyond the important progress made with this nomination, her appointment is the exception in an industry frequently accused of both bias and sexism. Zhao’s achievement is a result of her being recognized as one of the greatest talents in today’s cinema.
In 2021, Zhao became the second woman and the first woman of color to win the Best Director Oscar for her film “Nomadland.” This victory highlighted her amazing artistry. It served to signal a new era of broader, more inclusive recognition, honoring acclaimed filmmakers and creative minds from all backgrounds. Her path as a pioneering filmmaker has motivated countless others, and her most recent nomination, which came Wednesday morning, marks her ongoing impact and success.
Zhao’s achievements stretch far beyond directing. In her most recent production, all three hats she wears as editor, executive producer, and co-writer on the adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel. This multifaceted engagement serves not only to illustrate her commitment to the art of storytelling, but her proficiency with a number of critical elements of film production.
As she prepares for Oscar night, Zhao plunges into even thicker competition. She’s been nominated alongside the legendary Hollywood visionary, Paul Thomas Anderson, for the Imitation Original Screenplay Category! Photo by Roshan Perera on Unsplash Their rivalry is legendary, considering their mutually impressive contributions to the art of storytelling through cinema. Zhao expressed her admiration for Anderson, stating,
“I know I’ve met a partner for life in doing this with him … There’s no part of what I created or what we created in this story which exists without Paul and what he poured into this story.” – Chloe Zhao
This statement reflects the collaborative spirit that often characterizes successful filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of partnership in creating impactful narratives.
Yet Zhao has undeniably close ties to the industry. She’s a former classmate of Ryan Coogler from film school. This shared background has fostered a supportive network among filmmakers of color, which continues to grow as they collectively strive for greater representation in Hollywood.
Jessie Buckley, who’s worked with Zhao, applauded her effort, and remarked,
“I think he’s extraordinary in this film.” – Jessie Buckley
This endorsement signals a growing recognition of Zhao’s directorial prowess and her ability to elicit strong performances from her cast.
The next Academy Awards will be held on March 12th, 2023. Just a little more than a month to go until the big ceremony! Zhao’s nomination further underscores this fundamental shift in the entertainment industry. The recognition of female directors, especially women of color like Zhao, is a crucial step towards achieving equity and inclusivity in Hollywood.
Zhao’s impact goes far beyond her films. She is the representation, both in front of and behind the camera, that all aspiring storytellers should feel empowered by. Artistically and politically, her work reconciles and disrupts conventional narratives, paving the way for underrepresented voices that have been marginalized from our public discourse. With each new project, Zhao continues to crash through glass ceilings and raise industry benchmarks in the process. She is really establishing herself as a role model for the next generation of creators.