Nomadland

Nomadland is a 2020 American drama film directed by Chloé Zhao, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Vanessa Taylor, adapted from Jessica Bruder's 2017 non-fiction book Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century. The film stars Frances McDormand as Fern, a woman who, after the loss of her job and town, embarks on a journey through the American West in a van, living as a modern-day nomad.

The narrative follows Fern as she encounters a diverse community of van dwellers and itinerant workers who travel from job to job while forming informal networks of support. The film employs a largely naturalistic style, blending scripted scenes with real-life nomads and non-acting participants. Cinematography by Joshua James Richards captures expansive landscapes and intimate, quiet moments.

Nomadland premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2020, where it won the Golden Lion. It had a limited theatrical release in the United States and was distributed by Searchlight Pictures, with streaming on Hulu in 2021. It received widespread critical acclaim for its restrained, contemplative approach, performances, and social observations.

At the 93rd Academy Awards, Nomadland won multiple honors, including Best Picture, Best Director for Zhao, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actress for Frances McDormand. The film also earned various critics' and industry accolades and contributed to broader discussions about economic precarity, aging, and community in contemporary America.

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