Chloé Zhao defends superhero movies as legitimate storytelling
Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao offered a passionate defense of comic-book cinema during a masterclass at the Venice Film Festival, per Variety. She argued it's wrong to dismiss such stories simply because they aren't considered high art.
Zhao, who directed Marvel's 'Eternals', revealed she originally dreamed of becoming a manga artist but pivoted to filmmaking because her drawing skills weren't up to par. She said her primary goal has always been to tell stories.
Her comments serve as a pushback against a long-running cultural debate that often pits superhero blockbusters against more traditional, prestige filmmaking.
While acknowledging the divide, Zhao stressed the importance of not writing off entire genres. For her, the drive to tell a compelling story is what matters most, regardless of the medium or its perceived artistic merit.
