Chloé Zhao has earned a nomination for best director for “Hamnet.”
Congrats on the nomination! How did you find out?
I was on a night shoot that ended at four in the morning. Then I rushed to the airport for Sundance. I didn’t catch the live announcement, but my publicist texted me. It made my day!
You won the best director Oscar in 2021 for “Nomadland,” and “Hamnet” recently won big at the Golden Globes. Do you write your acceptance speeches ahead of time?
Nope! [laughs] My publicist wishes I would. I like the thrill of being spontaneous, but I agree that it’s smart to prepare. You don’t want to forget to thank anyone important. I’ve made that mistake before.
You recently shared a fun video of the cast and crew dancing to Rihanna’s “We Found Love” at the end of filming. Have you heard from her?
Not yet! I’ve been hoping to hear from Rihanna since high school. I even walked behind her at an awards show, just to be near her. I was too shy to say hi, though. I’ve always danced to her music, and this video just captured that joy!
You’re making history as the first person of color and the second woman to be nominated twice for best director. How does that feel?
I’m truly honored. The way we sent this story together for “Hamnet” reflects how I view the world. If this opens doors for more people to create like this, that’s exciting!
Who will you bring to the ceremony?
I’ve never attended the Oscars in a typical setting. During COVID, it was quite different. This will be my first regular Oscars, so I need to think carefully about who to bring.
Are you celebrating in any special way today?
Right now, I’m at Panda Express in the airport, grabbing some Chinese food before heading to Sundance. I’m excited to see friends and colleagues from my early career. It’ll be a nice reunion!
Speaking of food, it’s known that there’s no food at the Oscars. Will you sneak in a snack?
At the Critics’ Choice Awards, I brought homemade treats, like Chinese special pears and goji berry tea. I plan to pack snacks for the Oscars too—maybe even share them!
Bringing your own food is becoming a trend among nominees. A recent survey found that 70% of award show attendees wish there were more food options available. This could be a chance for artists to start a conversation about food at events!
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