Chloé Zhao nominated for Best Director for ‘Hamnet’
Congratulations on your nomination. How did you know you were accepted?
I was on a night shoot that ended at 4am, and this morning I was rushing to the airport to go to Sundance. I wasn’t able to watch it live because I was a little tired, but I received a text message from my publicist. I was very happy.
You previously won the 2021 Best Director Oscar for Nomadland and most recently won the top prize at the Golden Globes for Hamnet. Have you written your acceptance speech in advance?
no. (Laughter) My publicist is shaking his head over there. She always asks me to do it. It’s scary, but at the same time it’s exciting for me to see how things happen in the moment. But you might get so nervous that you forget, so it might be a good idea to make a list to express your gratitude to everyone. I made mistakes myself. So I would say, “Get some things ready.”
You recently released a video of the cast and crew dancing to Rihanna’s “We Found Love” on the final day of filming. Have you heard from Rihanna?
I’ve been waiting to hear from Rihanna since I was in high school. I’ve been praying every day that one day (my phone) will ring and I can say, “Oh my god, I accomplished my life goal.” I saw her (at the award ceremony) and walked behind her three times thinking I was close to her to go to the bathroom when I didn’t need to. Everyone said, “Go say hello!” But it was too scary. I’ve been dancing to her music since the first movie. I shot my first video for “We Found Love,” but I’ve been dancing to Rihanna’s music since “Songs My Brother Taught Me.”
You made history as the first person of color and second woman to be nominated for Best Director twice. What does it feel like?
oh. I’m very honored. I feel like the stories we tell and the villages we build, the way this community came together to create Hamnet, is how I love the world. So if this means more of us work this way, that’s great.
Who will you bring to the ceremony?
I’ve never been to the Oscars. No, that’s not true. I went during the coronavirus pandemic, and not only were they not allowed to bring anyone, most candidates weren’t even allowed to be in the Union Station room. Only the announced person can be in the room. All other candidates had to queue outside. So this is my first regular Oscar. So I have to think about who to bring with me.
Are you doing anything special to celebrate today?
Well, I’m sitting in the Panda Express at the airport heading to Sundance. I will be meeting many of my colleagues from the Sundance community where my career began. So it’s incredible to be able to hug everyone and celebrate. But anyway, this morning I bought some Chinese food at the airport. It’s not very healthy, but I treat myself to some greasy Chinese food.
Speaking of food, there is famously no food at the Oscars. Why not secretly sneak some snacks into your bag?
I brought food I made myself to the Critics’ Choice Awards, including specialty Chinese pear and goji berry tea. I had a bag full of sweets. So I’m going to have so much stuff that I can give it away too – maybe make some money along the way.
