Interview Magazine

Jan 2026

In this evocative series for Interview Magazine, photographer Joan Braun captures the visionary filmmaker Chloé Zhao through a lens of profound stillness and quiet confidence. The editorial portrait session moves away from the chaotic pace of cinema, instead settling into a serene, architectural environment defined by clean lines and historical character. By utilizing soft, diffused natural light that spills through grid-paned windows, Braun crafts a high-key aesthetic that highlights the textures of Zhao’s quilted, all-white wardrobe. This sartorial choice, curated by fashion editor and stylist Elena Mottola, creates a striking visual harmony against the textured, white-painted brick and cast-iron details of the setting. The result is a masterclass in editorial portraiture where the focus remains entirely on the subject’s contemplative presence. With hair styling by Amidat Giwa and makeup by Lynski, the imagery leans into a raw, naturalistic beauty that feels both timeless and deeply intimate. The project expertly balances a minimal, candid mood with the rigorous composition expected from top-tier media production, proving that a sparse, monochromatic color palette can generate significant narrative depth. Through these frames, Zhao is presented not just as a director, but as a person grounded in a quiet, deliberate reality, perfectly suited to the publication’s signature style of capturing cultural icons in their most authentic, unadorned light.

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