Chloe Zhao, winner of Best Director – Motion Picture for "Nomadland," speaks during the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards broadcast, February 28, 2021. /Getty
Editor's note: Haider Rifaat is a writer for the South China Morning Post, Arabian Moda magazine, Good Times magazine and OK! Pakistan. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
The 78th edition of the Golden Globe Awards kicked off over the weekend, attracting mainstream media buzz. One of the biggest wins of the night went to Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao for bagging the Best Director accolade at the ceremony for last year's drama film "Nomadland," making her the first Asian woman to hold the title.
Zhao is also the second woman to win the same category since the Golden Globes launched in 1944. Apart from directing the 2020 award-winning film, Zhao simultaneously took charge of writing and editing the entire project.
In a riveting acceptance speech, she thanked the cast and crew of the film while adding, "I especially want to thank the nomads who shared their stories with us." Zhao went on to quote American author Bob Wells in her speech while highlighting the role of compassion. "Compassion is the breakdown of all the barriers between us – a heart-to-heart bonding. Your pain is my pain; it's mingled and shared between us," she added.
Many celebrated Zhao on social media, particularly on the Chinese website Weibo, praising the 38-year-old filmmaker for achieving a major career milestone. However, it did take the Golden Globes 77 years to recognize an Asian filmmaker. Before Zhao, no other Asian had won an accolade in the Best Director category.
Female directors in general remained largely underrepresented in the history of the Golden Globes, spanning nearly eight decades with only five nominations materializing for them up until 2021.
In the wake of mounting racism and unwanted hate crimes against Asian Americans, a win as momentous as Zhao's proves why Asian Americans are here to stay. They are destined to create pathways of success that demonstrate their merits and impressive skillsets. In a virtual press meeting, the award-winning filmmaker again emphasized the importance of being compassionate in light of an increase in violence against Asians in America. "I think when we look in each other's eyes and stare at the other person, you can't deny them as a human being. We all just have to learn."
From left to right, Best Screenplay – Motion Picture nominees David Parfitt, David Fincher (for Jack Fincher), Chloe Zhao, Emerald Fennell, and Aaron Sorkin are seen during the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards broadcast, February 28, 2021. /Getty
Zhao's win serves as an inspiration for Asian women to dream better and dream bigger. Women of Asian descent who feel they cannot make it big in an entertainment industry other than their own should think again.
Seeing an Asian holding a Golden Globe statuette sends a message of hope to young girls who feel marginalized in their respective fields. They would feel more encouraged to follow in Zhao's footsteps and emerge as future storytellers.
Moreover, a string of Asian filmmakers plus writers would feel the need to spearhead future films in Hollywood. They can write and direct with more enthusiasm, creativity and spontaneity. Such practice would enable them to give stories their own spin. Involving Asian writers in a wholesome scriptwriting process is equally crucial. Resolving scripts around Asian living and culture would make American cinema richer, more diverse.
The year 2021 will soon introduce us to the forthcoming American film "Mortal Kombat" that predominately consists of Asian artists to the likes of Lewis Tan, Tadanobu Asano, Ludi Lin, Chin Han and Hiroyuki Sanada. It is important to continue making more films with an Asian focus.
If artists of Asian descent are assigned "non-Asian" roles in the future, stigmas surrounding their culture and heritage can be bridged for the better. An average viewer's perception about Asians could possibly change if Asian actors, filmmakers and writers are motivated to lead Hollywood films.
It is imperative that more productions helmed by Chinese artists are given precedence in the U.S. Zhao has already led by example. The kind of media exposure she received over the weekend would get the conversation going about equal representation for Asians in Hollywood. Her inspiring win would likely cause a ripple effect among Asian artists to tell future stories unapologetically.
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