Entertainment
Chloé Zhao defends comic-book films during Venice Film Festival masterclass
The Oscar-winning director argued against dismissing popular genres as lesser art forms and drew parallels between her indie and blockbuster projects.
The short version
- Filmmaker Chloé Zhao defended superhero and comic-book films during a masterclass at the Venice Film Festival.
- Zhao argued that storytelling should not be dismissed for not being perceived as high art, citing the value of archetypal stories for audiences.
- She connected the themes of her 2021 Marvel film "Eternals" to her Oscar-winning drama "Nomadland" and shared reflections on her career path.
Key facts
- Chloé Zhao spoke during a career masterclass at the Venice Film Festival, addressing her filmmaking journey and philosophy.[Variety]
- Zhao argued against writing off stories merely because they are not viewed as high art, emphasizing that storytelling serves to help people process experiences through shared archetypes.[Variety]
- Zhao described directing the 2021 Marvel film "Eternals" as a fulfillment of childhood interests rooted in anime and manga.[Variety]
- Zhao compared "Eternals" to her 2020 film "Nomadland," arguing that both projects fundamentally focus on people in nature navigating complex relationships.[Variety]
- Zhao noted that she worked as a bartender in her late 20s before pursuing filmmaking, and mentioned currently navigating personal reflections about spending her life looking at screens.[Variety]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.