Happy Women’s History Month! Every #WomanCrushWednesday, we’re featuring amazing women who have made an impact in todays society. This week, we’re highlighting a 39 year old Chinese-born film maker, who made history as the first woman of color to receive an Oscar for Best Director. That’s right, our #WomanCrushWednesday is Chloé Zhao.
The talented 39 year old director was born in Beijing, where from a young age, she developed an interest in film. Her parents had her attend the Sussex boarding school, Brighton College in England, and then she moved to the United States to complete High School in Los Angeles, California. She then went to Holyoke College in Massachusetts, and then pursued her passion for film at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Some of Zhao’s other notable films include Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015), The Rider (2017), and Eternals (2021).
Not only was she the second woman of all time to win the Oscar for Best Director, but she also became the first Asian woman to win this award, and the first person of color in history to receive it. Zhao also received numerous awards and nominations for Nomadland, including the Academy Award for ‘Best Picture’, and nominations for editing and screenplay. It also received four Golden Globe nominations, winning ‘Best Motion Picture – Drama’, and ‘Best Director’ for Zhao, making Nomadland one of the most celebrated films of 2021. Through this, Zhao has become one of the most highly regarded directors, especially as an Asian female excelling in an industry heavily dominated by males and a historical lack of diversity.
The list of impactful women goes on, and we’ll continue highlighting a new woman every Wednesday. Until then, what woman has inspired you? Let us know in the comments below! Celebrate Women’s History this month and every month!
