Exploring the Making of Hamnet: Chloé Zhao and Affonso Gonçalves Unique CollaborationIn this episode, we delve into the creation of the film Hamnet, focusing on the distinctive partnership between director Chloé Zhao and editor Affonso Gonçalves. Gonçalves joined the project post-initial cut, immersing himself in raw footage to refine the story, particularly emphasizing the familys perspective.The movie, based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, tells the love story of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes, grappling with the loss of their son Hamnet to the plague. This personal tragedy inspires Shakespeare to write Hamlet.One standout scene is the death of young Hamnet, where Zhao and Gonçalves, along with sound designer Johnnie Burn, created a sense of a primordial force approaching the children, rather than using traditional music. Jessie Buckleys scream in this scene is particularly impactful.Despite their usually harmonious collaboration, there was a notable disagreement over a close-up shot of William Shakespeare after Agnes leaves him. Zhao and the studio felt it wasnt necessary, highlighting their rare differences.Their working relationship is built on mutual respect, with Zhao often receptive to Gonçalves’s suggestions, even at the last minute. Gonçalves praised Zhao’s skill in selecting performances, calling her an amazing editor. This refined process and their complementary skills are key to their successful collaboration in shaping the final film.

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