Chloé Zhao

Biography

Chloé Zhao (born Zhao Ting on March 31, 1982) is a Chinese filmmaker, screenwriter, producer and editor known for her distinctive storytelling and work in independent cinema. She has gained international recognition for creating films that explore human relationships, personal struggles, identity, nature and life on the margins of society. Her filmmaking style often combines realistic performances, natural landscapes and documentary-inspired techniques.

Early life and education

Chloé Zhao was born in Beijing, China. She developed an interest in films, literature and storytelling at an early age. She later moved to the United States to pursue her education. She attended Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts before studying film production at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree.

Career and filmmaking

Zhao began her filmmaking career with short films and independent projects. Her feature-film directorial debut was Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015), which explored the lives of two siblings living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The film received recognition at international film festivals and introduced her naturalistic approach to filmmaking.

She gained further attention with The Rider (2017), a drama about a young rodeo rider dealing with the consequences of a serious injury. The film received critical acclaim for its realistic presentation and performances by non-professional actors.

Her international breakthrough came with Nomadland (2020), starring Frances McDormand. The film follows a woman who travels across the American West after losing her home and becomes part of a community of modern-day nomads. It received widespread recognition and won several major awards.

In 2021, Zhao became the second woman and the first woman of colour to win the Academy Award for Best Director. Nomadland also won the Academy Award for Best Picture.