Filming 'Hamnet' was a transformative experience for Chloé Zhao and Jessie Buckley, as they delved into the depths of grief, loss, and human connection in Maggie O’Farrell’s beloved novel. The film's emotional core centers around Agnes (Buckley), a naturalist and healer who is struggling to come to terms with the tragic loss of her son Hamnet.
According to Buckley, it was Chloé Zhao's empathetic direction that allowed her to tap into Agnes's overwhelming grief, which wasn't initially part of the script. In an interview at the Mill Valley Film Festival, Buckley revealed that she credits Zhao for creating a safe space where they could feel vulnerable and connect on a deeper level.
As the film progressed, Buckley and Zhao formed a strong bond, with the Irish-born director fostering an environment that encouraged trust and openness among the cast and crew. This communal experience allowed them to explore the complexities of grief and human connection, which ultimately led to some of the most moving moments in the film.
Buckley shared a poignant anecdote about filming the pivotal mother-son scene with Hamnet (played by 12-year-old Jacobi Jupe), recalling how she felt lost and unsure at first. However, after listening to composer Max Richter's evocative score, "This Bitter Earth/On the Nature of Daylight," something shifted for both her and Zhao. They began to surrender to the emotions of the scene, allowing themselves to be fully present in the moment.
The film's conclusion, set within London's 16th-century Globe Theatre, proved to be a challenging but cathartic experience for Buckley. She revealed that the eight-day shoot was emotionally intense, with both she and Zhao feeling lost at times. However, it was this vulnerability that led to some of the most powerful moments in the film.
Zhao's approach to filmmaking is characterized by ambiguity and uncertainty, which is reflected in her reluctance to commit to a clear ending. Instead, she finds solace in the process, allowing the story to unfold organically. This spiral approach allows for a more nuanced and human experience, where the audience is left with a sense of wonder and discovery.
For Buckley, this film has been a transformative experience that has forced her to confront her own emotions and vulnerabilities. She credits Zhao's leadership and creative vision for helping her tap into Agnes's emotional depth, resulting in some of the most memorable performances of her career.
According to Buckley, it was Chloé Zhao's empathetic direction that allowed her to tap into Agnes's overwhelming grief, which wasn't initially part of the script. In an interview at the Mill Valley Film Festival, Buckley revealed that she credits Zhao for creating a safe space where they could feel vulnerable and connect on a deeper level.
As the film progressed, Buckley and Zhao formed a strong bond, with the Irish-born director fostering an environment that encouraged trust and openness among the cast and crew. This communal experience allowed them to explore the complexities of grief and human connection, which ultimately led to some of the most moving moments in the film.
Buckley shared a poignant anecdote about filming the pivotal mother-son scene with Hamnet (played by 12-year-old Jacobi Jupe), recalling how she felt lost and unsure at first. However, after listening to composer Max Richter's evocative score, "This Bitter Earth/On the Nature of Daylight," something shifted for both her and Zhao. They began to surrender to the emotions of the scene, allowing themselves to be fully present in the moment.
The film's conclusion, set within London's 16th-century Globe Theatre, proved to be a challenging but cathartic experience for Buckley. She revealed that the eight-day shoot was emotionally intense, with both she and Zhao feeling lost at times. However, it was this vulnerability that led to some of the most powerful moments in the film.
Zhao's approach to filmmaking is characterized by ambiguity and uncertainty, which is reflected in her reluctance to commit to a clear ending. Instead, she finds solace in the process, allowing the story to unfold organically. This spiral approach allows for a more nuanced and human experience, where the audience is left with a sense of wonder and discovery.
For Buckley, this film has been a transformative experience that has forced her to confront her own emotions and vulnerabilities. She credits Zhao's leadership and creative vision for helping her tap into Agnes's emotional depth, resulting in some of the most memorable performances of her career.
and it was soooo sad!! i felt like agnes was literally crying along with me on screen 
and chloé zhao is just a genius as a director 
her way of making you feel the emotions without being too preachy or anything is sooo inspiring 
chloé zhao's direction is pure magic - she has this way of getting you to feel all the feels without being too on the nose. jessie buckley absolutely stole the show as agnes, her vulnerability is so raw and relatable 
what really got me was how authentic the cast and crew seemed like they were all in it together 
i love how zhao's approach to filmmaking is all about capturing that sense of uncertainty and ambiguity - it makes for such a powerful and introspective watch 
chloe zhao is a genius director she got everyone on the cast to be so vulnerable and open it was like we were all just hanging out in grief together 
bryce dallas howard's score was 
too max richter's "this bitter earth" gave me CHILLS 
i love how the film doesn't have a clear ending it's like life or whatever it just keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what happens next 
anyone else seen this movie? 
i feel like i've been through some stuff too and its nice to know im not alone 
billy elliot was my favorite character btw 
What I love about this film is how ambiguous the ending is like, you can't fully grasp what's happening but that's part of its beauty 
It just makes you feel like you've been a part of something special.
it was so emotional!! I feel like Chloé Zhao is a total genius 
it's clear that she and Chloé have a super deep connection, they're like two souls who understand each other on a different level 
I mean, Chloé Zhao did an incredible job, man... she really got into that emotional core with Jessie Buckley and created this safe space for them to be vulnerable. It's like they were cryin' and laughin' together on screen, you know? 
And that score by Max Richter? Forget about it! 
I love how Zhao created a safe space for the cast and crew to feel vulnerable, it's like you can see the trust building between them. And Jacobi Jupe, bless his heart, he was so talented as young Hamnet... I'm not even crying yet but thinking about that scene with Max Richter's score playing is just going to send me over 
she has this incredible chemistry with chloé zhao too - their directorial collaboration is truly something special 
. I mean, what if they had a safe space like Chloé Zhao created for her cast and crew to feel vulnerable and connect on a deeper level? 
. Plus, I love how the film's ambiguity and uncertainty reflect the complexity of human emotions - it's like they're trying to say that there's no one-size-fits-all solution to grief and loss 
. We need more nuanced conversations about mental health in our society, don't you agree? 
and I'm still getting chills from it... it reminds me so much of 'The English Patient' that we used to watch on DVD together when I was a kid 
. I love how the film doesn't tie everything up with a neat bow - it just leaves you with these big questions and feelings that linger long after the credits roll 
... it's so much like life, isn't it?