A documentary film-maker can't help but use poetry to tell the

"A documentary film-maker can't help but use poetry to tell the story. I bring truth to my fiction. These things go hand in hand." With these words, Chloe Zhao reveals a profound truth about the delicate balance between truth and creativity, the union of documentary and art. In her vision, storytelling is not a mere transaction of facts; it is a harmonious marriage of truth and imagination, where each aspect enhances and elevates the other. For Zhao, poetry is not confined to the realm of the written word or the abstract; it is a vital tool in the documentary filmmaker's arsenal. It allows for the truth of the human experience to be rendered with the grace and beauty of artistic expression. The idea that these forces are interwoven calls upon us to reflect on the nature of how we narrate our world, how we blend factual reality with creative interpretation to reflect the deeper essence of life itself.

In the ancient world, storytellers and poets were seen not only as entertainers, but as truth-tellers. They weaved together the fabric of society, revealing human nature, the gods, and the unseen forces at work in the universe. Consider Homer, whose epics, the Iliad and Odyssey, were based in part on historical events but raised them to the level of art. Through poetry, he explored the very nature of heroism, sacrifice, and human fallibility. While his tales were mythic and fictionalized, they were also deeply rooted in the truth of the human condition. Homer's works blurred the lines between history and fiction, showing that art can capture the truth of a moment, even if that moment has been altered through the lens of imagination. Zhao’s words echo this ancient tradition—she, too, uses the language of poetry to reveal the truths of human experience, whether in the form of documentary or fiction.

The intertwining of truth and creativity is not a new phenomenon but rather a timeless principle, understood by the great philosophers and artists of history. Plato himself, in his Republic, expressed concern about the poet’s power to shape the world, not with facts, but with stories that could either elevate or degrade the soul. Yet, he also recognized that art, even when it bends reality, can capture a deeper truth that straight facts may miss. For Plato, poetry and fiction could reach the soul in a way that dry logic could not. He saw the power of art to speak to the truth of human experience, and Zhao draws on this ancient wisdom by acknowledging that in telling her stories, she brings truth to her fiction. Art, to her, is not merely a tool for embellishment; it is a means of unlocking the deeper realities of life.

Consider the example of the Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, whose work transcended the boundaries of art and science. Leonardo, though a painter by trade, was also an inventor and scientist. His artistic works, like the Mona Lisa, blend the factual with the imaginative, capturing not only the physical likeness of his subject but also their soul. His use of light, shadow, and perspective was not merely artistic flourish—it was an effort to reveal deeper truths about the nature of humanity and the world. For Leonardo, as for Zhao, art was a medium for truth, a way of seeing the world more fully by transcending the limitations of the literal. In this sense, the truth of the human experience cannot always be captured by facts alone; sometimes it must be conveyed through the language of creativity, through the lens of art.

Zhao’s statement also draws attention to the role of the storyteller in shaping the narrative of human existence. The truth she speaks of is not simply about presenting facts—it is about illuminating the hidden aspects of life that often go unnoticed. This is evident in her acclaimed film Nomadland, where she blends the real stories of nomadic workers with a poetic, almost ethereal depiction of their lives. The truth of their struggles and dreams is enhanced by Zhao’s artistic vision, which brings these stories to life with a sense of beauty and humanity that might be lost in a purely documentary approach. Zhao demonstrates how truth and creativity can work together to give voice to those whose stories are often overlooked.

The lesson in Zhao’s words is clear: we must not view truth and art as opposing forces, but as complementary. Creativity does not diminish the power of truth; it amplifies it, adding depth, emotion, and meaning. Art allows us to see the truths of the world from new perspectives, to engage with them in ways that facts alone cannot achieve. As storytellers, whether through film, literature, or other forms of expression, we are tasked with weaving together the threads of fact and imagination, creating a narrative that reflects not only the reality of our lives but the deeper truths that lie beneath the surface.

So, let us move forward with this wisdom: to embrace the power of both truth and art in our own lives. Let us tell our stories not only with facts, but with the creativity and poetry that illuminate the deeper realities of our experiences. Whether through the written word, through film, or through the way we live our lives, we have the power to bring truth to fiction, to create a more profound understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Just as Chloe Zhao does in her work, we can harness the power of art to reveal the truth and bring it to life in ways that inspire, challenge, and transform.