Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij are undeniably two of the most brilliant creators in modern cinema. Over the years, their creative partnership has continually explored what it means to be human; what it means to be flawed yet faithful to one’s core beliefs. As screenwriters, Marling and Batmanglij create narratives possessing a unique harmony—such narratives examine humanity in ways that we’ve never seen before, going beyond blurring the lines between human and machine-like in Blade Runner or Westworld.
In Marling and Batmanglij’s films, characters must decide if they should embrace or discontinue the stressful relationships that ground their day-to-day lives. With Another Earth, Sound of My Voice, and The East, Marling and Batmanglij paved the way for their magnum opus, The OA, all the while proving that Marling is one of cinema’s most underrated actresses. Marling and Batmanglij’s creative partnership is full of heart, innovation, and perhaps most importantly, messages that challenge viewers to be the best versions of themselves.
