Chloé Zhao Calls Neurodivergence Her Filmmaking Superpower

Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao shared insights into her creative process, challenges in film financing, and how her neurodivergence influences her storytelling during a conversation at the London Film Festival on Sunday. Zhao’s new historical drama, Hamnet, depicting the sorrow that inspired William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, premiered in Europe at the festival the previous night, receiving an emotional response and a surprise visit from producer Steven Spielberg. The experience ignited Zhao’s passion for reviving storytelling traditions rarely seen in modern times.

“very passionate about rediscovering and remembering some older ways of storytelling that have been forgotten in our society.”

— Chloé Zhao, Director

Valuing Ambiguity and the Lost Art of Storytelling

Zhao emphasized the importance of embracing ambiguity in narratives, drawing attention to how society and Hollywood often prioritize clarity over mystery. She described a time before stories were confined to facts, when tales were shaped by dreams, nature, and intuition. Zhao believes that blending logic with ambiguity is essential for a wholesome society and creative industry.

“Before we made everything factual and reasonable, there was a time where we’d see stories in different ways — from our dreams, our vision quests, from going into nature and listening to the birds,”

Zhao explained.

“So the language of ambiguity is, to me, vital for the health of a society. And I think even in Hollywood, in the film industry, we are not very good at preserving the language of ambiguity. If logos and mystery are in harmony, we would be living in a much better world.”

Financial Realities and Creative Boundaries in Filmmaking

Despite her artistic focus, Zhao openly discussed the crucial role of financing in filmmaking, revealing her discomfort with going into debt and her commitment to protecting investors’ interests. She attributes some of these feelings to her Chinese heritage and insists that she wants her collaborators to recoup their investments. Zhao explained how financial limits can actually foster creativity rather than hinder it.

“Maybe it’s because I’m Chinese, I don’t know what is it, but I’m so afraid of owing people money. I don’t like it. I don’t like being in debt. I want the people who put the money into my films to get the money back,”

Zhao said.

“I don’t believe that my vision and whatever importance of my film should make people lose money. It’s just not for me. I try really hard to get financiers or studios to say, how much are you comfortable giving me so that you can survive as a company, please. And then I’ll do it within that. So I think it’s really helpful because limitations, I promise, are your best friend.”

Neurodivergence as a Source of Creative Strength

During the Q&A session following her talk, an audience member asked Zhao about how being neurodivergent has shaped her creativity. She responded with pride, calling her neurodivergence a superpower. Zhao elaborated on the diversity of human brains and raised questions about whether she is truly atypical or if modern life has become overwhelming with its noise and pace. She frames her experience as one of tuning into her own needs to craft environments, both on and off screen, that promote wellbeing for herself and others.

“I think it’s a superpower, I really do.”

— Chloé Zhao, Director

“I think we’re all on the spectrum of something. Everyone’s brain is so different, so unique — nature and nurture combined. And I find that I question sometimes, is it that I am the not typical one or has our world become a little too inhabitable? Is it too loud, is it too bright, is it too fast?”

“So I try to not think of it as less or different, but think about if I tune into how I function, then I’m going to create a world, not just on camera, but also off camera that is going to be healthy for me. And those who gravitate towards me like that about me, so that’s probably what they enjoy as well.”

“It’s really important and actually a good service to society for you to honor what you need first because that might be exactly what your environment might need as well.”

Reception of Hamnet and Zhao’s Continued Success

Hamnet first premiered at the Telluride Film Festival last month, generating significant buzz and positioning itself as a strong Oscar contender. It also won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley and offers a deeply emotional take on the tragedy behind Shakespeare’s famed play, described by Variety’s chief film critic Peter Debruge as

“so emotionally raw as to be almost excruciating at times.”

Zhao rose to prominence with her 2020 film Nomadland, starring Frances McDormand, which earned her Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director, making her the first woman of color to win the directing award. After directing the Marvel film Eternals in 2021, Hamnet marks her latest cinematic achievement.

Upcoming Release Plans for Hamnet

Hamnet is scheduled for a limited theatrical release in the United States and Canada beginning November 27 through Focus Features, with a wider rollout on December 12. The film will reach audiences in the United Kingdom on January 9, distributed by Universal Pictures.