Chloé Zhao Reveals the Three Directors Who Shaped Her Vision
Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao opens up about the three filmmakers who have most influenced her creative journey, sharing how their unique perspectives have inspired her to explore profound human and spiritual themes in her own work.
Chloé Zhao made waves in Hollywood when she took home the Academy Award for Best Director for Nomadland, marking a historic moment as the first woman of color to win the honor. While she later ventured into the Marvel universe with Eternals, Zhao’s true cinematic voice continues to shine, most recently in her Golden Globe-winning film Hamnet. This latest project delves into the raw, transformative power of grief and its ties to creativity, earning widespread praise for its emotional depth and artistry.
Throughout her career, Zhao has drawn inspiration from a range of legendary filmmakers. While she’s spoken about the influence of Àgnes Varda and Christopher Nolan, three directors stand out as her guiding lights. These mentors have profoundly shaped her approach to storytelling and the way she explores the human experience on screen.
Terrence Malick: Reaching for the Spiritual
Terrence Malick, celebrated for films like Badlands, Days of Heaven, and The Thin Red Line, holds a special place in Zhao’s heart. But it ’s The Tree of Life that left the deepest mark on her.
“For me, the tree of life has the highest branches that reach to the heavens, and then you’ve got the trunk in the middle, and then you’ve got the roots that reach all the way down into the void,”
Zhao explained.
“And I think watching Terrence’s films is interesting because I can tell that he’s trying to reach up as high as possible to the heavens. You really feel the elevation watching his film. And that’s why they are so spiritual.”
Malick’s meditative, philosophical style resonates with Zhao’s own focus on deeply personal, human stories. The Tree of Life, in particular, offers a transcendent viewing experience, inviting audiences to reflect on memory, connection, and the vastness of existence.
Werner Herzog: Embracing the Depths of Reality
Zhao also counts Werner Herzog among her most significant influences. Known for blurring the lines between documentary and fiction, Herzog’s work explores the extremes of human experience. Zhao admires his ability to capture life’s unpredictability and emotional intensity. She once shared her appreciation for his documentary Into the Abyss, saying,
“That’s what the genius of Werner Herzog is, it’s always about more. It shows you how much life can shock you, and how magnificent it is to be alive in the most bittersweet way.”
Herzog’s fearless approach to storytelling has inspired Zhao to dig deeper into the complexities of existence, pushing her to explore both the light and darkness within her characters and narratives.
Ang Lee: Bridging Cultures and Genres
The third mentor Zhao credits is Ang Lee, whose diverse body of work spans everything from period dramas like Sense and Sensibility to the action- packed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Lee’s ability to weave his cultural background into every project has been especially meaningful for Zhao. She once remarked,
“Ang Lee’s career has been very inspiring to me – how he’s able to bring where he comes from to all the films that he makes.”
With these three filmmakers as her touchstones, Zhao has evolved from crafting intimate indie films to helming major studio blockbusters. Their influence continues to guide her as she explores new creative heights, always seeking to balance the personal with the universal in her work.