Nomadland

About Nomadland

"Nomadland" is a 2021 American drama film directed by Chloé Zhao. The film revolves around the life of a woman who, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad. The protagonist discovers resilience and resourcefulness along this unconventional path, learning to thrive on the margins of society.

Making / Production

The film was directed by Chloé Zhao and is based on the 2017 non-fiction book "Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century" by Jessica Bruder. The production of the film was done under the banner of Highwayman Films, Hear/Say Productions, and Cor Cordium Productions. The film features real-life nomads Linda May, Swankie, and Bob Wells as Fern's mentors and comrades in her exploration through the vast landscape of the American West.

Actors

• Frances McDormand as Fern: McDormand delivers a deeply moving and realistic portrayal of a woman who chooses a life of independence and simplicity over societal norms.
• David Strathairn as Dave: Strathairn plays a fellow nomad who crosses paths with Fern, his role subtly illustrates the camaraderie and fleeting relationships within the nomadic community.
• Linda May as Herself: Linda plays herself in the movie, adding a layer of authenticity and realness to the nomadic lifestyle portrayed.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Most of the "characters" in the film are real-life nomads who director Chloe Zhao met while researching the project.
• The film is a blend of fiction and non-fiction as it is based on a non-fiction book but features fictional characters and events.

Awards

The film was acclaimed by critics and won many prestigious awards. Notably, it won the Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Frances McDormand at the 93rd Academy Awards. It also won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Quotes

• "I'm not homeless, I'm just houseless. Not the same thing, right?" – Fern
• "My mom says that you're homeless. Is that true?" "No I'm not homeless, I'm just... houseless. Not the same thing, right?" – Child / Fern
• "One of the things I love most about this life is that there’s no final goodbye." – Bob

Music and Soundtrack

• The film's score was composed by Ludovico Einaudi, who created a compelling mix of instrumental tracks that perfectly match the film's raw and emotional tone.
• Einaudi's "Einaudi: Oltremare" and "Einaudi: A Sense of Symmetry" are among the standout tracks on the soundtrack.