Original subtitles

When I first read the book, I was blown away

because the way Maggie was writing it,

it was emotional world-building, not just factual.

There is a pulse to her writing

and I thought, "Wow, if she's willing to write the screenplay with me,

then we could create something magical."

Great. And cut. Reset.

[O'Farrell] Chloé Zhao.

As soon as I heard her name, I thought, "Yes, she's the woman for the job."

With a lot of her work,

she's in a very interesting dialogue with art and authenticity,

and the relationship between the two and how they pull together and pull apart.

I think that's what makes her so brilliant.

The narrative of the book and the film is about why we need art,

why we make it, you know,

where it comes from, where it's pulled from in your soul.

The way Chloé has worked bringing this to life,

it's been a journey.

It's never just been an end product.

From day one, Chloé's asked us all to come towards the story with an open heart

and has been such a brave artist to

weave everybody's skin into this tapestry that she's created,

and that's a really rare experience.

[crew member 1] Okay, stand by.

- [crew member 2] Stand by. - [crew member 1] Lock it up.

- [crew member 3] Stand by. - Slide down.

Her greatest talent is knowing exactly what kind of culture she wants on set.

The atmosphere that she's crafted

gives you all of the freedom and creativity to put your best foot forward.

She's just been an absolutely extraordinary presence on set.

And I think she's brought a really feminine energy

to the filmmaking process.

It's been really brilliant watching her work

and seeing her very unique take on the material.

All feelings or emotions are welcome once you step on the set.

And when you're in that kind of environment, it becomes the ecosystem,

and I don't need to force the actors to get anywhere that

they themselves don't lead me to, and already feel supported.

- Reset, back to one. - That was the most complex shot we did.

- [crew member] Was it? - That was harder than the stunt.

We're there to capture the truth that comes through one moment after another.

So when your actors are operating at that vibration,

something is going to come through.

- Give her to me. - I'll make sure it gets a decent burial.

Give me my child!

[Zhao] Whether it's a scream or the tiny little twitch,

my job is to nurture that.

Chloé is like no other director I've ever worked with.

She loves going deep into all of the characters,

she really wants the performances to feel truthful.

I don't know. Just stress to people that you're going to perform.

I mean, like, you're thinking about performing.

Do you think he's thinking about that there?

- In the moment? - I don't think he is.

I think he makes the decision...

- On the way there. - ...on the way there.

- Which I think is funnier. - Okay. Okay. I like that idea.

After a phase of swimming in the river of grief,

we've got to do our "Dance Takes,"

you know, where you dance together after difficult scenes.

Emotion is just energy in motion,

so the best way to discharge these emotions

is just shake your body.

We do it every Friday, but we do it very professionally.

It's called "Dance Takes."

So we'll redo the scene, at least the end of it,

and then music will get cued in at the perfect time.

The edge between deep, deep grief and ecstatic joy is a very fine line.

And once the permission is given to go over the precipice...

[exhales deeply] ...you know, and I think that's what life is about.

You know, season's changes.

You have to have winter to appreciate spring.

Thanks, Chloé. Come on in.

It was particularly fun the day when Chloé ended up working

as a supporting artist in the Globe Theatre.

Oh, I love, I loved the outfit. I wish every day we could wear that.

That's so pretty and it was lovely.

[cheering]

[Buckley] Chloé is an extraordinary leader and an extraordinary artist.

There's just poetry pouring out of her.

She's such a sensitive, instinctive, curious director.

She's invited me into a way of working that I didn't even understand I could do.

I just want to say that I've never seen such a juxtaposition

between tragedy and joy.

It's amazing.

Chloé, it all-- Thank you.

[cheering]

[Zhao] Ah!