Chloé Zhao: Neurodiversity is My Filmmaking Superpower
Acclaimed director Chloé Zhao, fresh from the premiere of her highly anticipated film Hamnet, engaged with a small audience at the BFI London Film Festival on Sunday, sharing insights into her experiences as a neurodivergent artist. Hamnet, which debuted on Saturday with stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley alongside producers Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes, tells the story of grief.
During the session, Zhao delved into the making of her previous works, including Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015), The Rider (2017), the Oscar-winning Nomadland (2020), and the Marvel Cinematic Universe entry, Eternals (2021).
When questioned about her approach to directing actors, Zhao opened up about her neurodiversity. "My brain works differently, so I've never understood why I feel like an outsider, or why social skills like casual conversation come easily to others but are really hard for me to grasp," Zhao explained. "I easily become overwhelmed by stimulation because I perceive a lot more things than the average person. I'm constantly making assumptions about what others think of me," she said, as she pointed to someone in the crowd. "What's the intent of that dress you're wearing? Where are you from? I can't stop thinking about these things."
She continued, "Once I understood and could name what I was experiencing, I realized I have an unusual aptitude for recognizing patterns, which can be an asset. I can feel conflict between the actors and use this sense on set to predict a situation. Even if the cameras aren't rolling, you can feel that something is off. In this moment, hopefully, the actors will be willing to take down their mask and reveal their true feelings. That level of sincerity is the greatest gift that a performer can give to the world." Zhao admitted that professional actors don't always want to reveal their vulnerability.
Zhao humorously acknowledged how her sensitivity to unspoken emotions impacts everyday interactions: "If you're forcing a smile while feeling sad, that's why small talk is so difficult for me. I want to know what trauma you endured as a child – which isn't always appreciated," she said to a laughing audience.
"I see it as a strength," Zhao said. "It's a spectrum, so everyone's experience is unique. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just wired differently, or if the world is becoming too difficult to live in. Is everything too loud, too bright, too fast? I try not to think of it as being less. Instead, if I pay attention to how I operate, I can design an environment, both on and off the set, that promotes my well-being."
Zhao shared that the science fiction and fantasy aspects of the project excited her. "When I was younger, my dream was to create manga," Zhao said. "I was always drawing manga, and I loved using mythology and fantasy to tell stories."
Zhao explained that Eternals is the only film that she storyboarded, due to her experience drawing manga. "I loved to draw the big eyes," Zhao said, giggling.
About making Eternals, Zhao explained that she felt a lot of pressure. "I had just made three films, traveled the world, met a lot of people, and examined the cultures in the East and West," she said. "I felt like I was a volcano waiting to erupt, and I wanted to understand the human experience."
She stated that while growing up in Beijing, she and her family watched one Western film each week. The Terminator (1984) was the first. "Great film," she said. "After that, I watched Ghost and Sister Act."
The BFI London Film Festival will be held from October 8th to 19th, 2025.
