The term Nomad is derived from the late 16th century French word nomade, meaning people without fixed habitation. Dating back to Iran 8000 years ago, people spent most of their time hunting and gathering for fruit and seeds, using whatever shelter they could find along the way instead of creating a fixed base. Since then, Nomadism has splintered into lots of different subcultures each with their own unique identities such as Cowboys and Romani travellers. Unfortunately, these groups have been widely discriminated against due to their practises, from the minute ideals of “stranger danger, new people in town” to forcible assimilation and genocide. With this history in mind, Chloé Zhao directed Nomadland.
Set in the American West, Nomadland follows Frances McDormand’s character Fern travelling across the country via her van, detailing the many encounters she faces. Apart from our lead and supporting actor David Strathairn, the cast are made up of real life Nomads, giving this feature film more of a documentary feel. Getting up close and personal, McDormand spent four months hands-on integrating with the communities, working the seasonal jobs and sleeping in her van. She blends in so well and her method acting is rewarded by winning her third Academy Award for best actress.
Similarly to other films nominated this year, the themes of loss and grief are heavily featured in Nomadland, this time coupled with the theme of independence. Fern is perceived as stubborn and too prideful to accept help, which the character admits to an extent but it’s more of an unwillingness to conform. Friends & family want Fern to be happy, which they associate with a life like theirs, so when she pulls away, they’re agitated and uncomfortable. There is also an understandable concern for her safety, with freezing cold temperatures at night and the discomfort of living in such an enclosed place must take a toll on a person. However, the perseverance and resilience to stick to the lifestyle through thick & thin is to be admired, not shunned. There’s no harm involved to others and if it means some semblance of peace is achieved, why should she go back to society? She has a new one.
Alongside the unique story and abstract way of storytelling, the film is ground-breaking for numerous reasons. Chloé Zhao is the first woman to be nominated for Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Film editing and Best Picture in the same year – only the second woman to win Best Director following Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker in 2008. In fact, it’s the first time an Asian woman has been nominated for Best Director, let alone winning it, and is the first film to attain top prizes at both the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals as well as the Best Picture. It’s fresh and original, a blend of reality and story. I am stickler for plot but I truly appreciate how the narrative is shown in a nuanced fashion and brings across big themes via small details. I’ve only scratched the surface here, avoiding my usual spiel of capitalism being the biggest oppressor just as Zhao and McDormand avoid the political allegories in Nomadland. What I have taken from this picture is that people are going to disagree with your lifestyle choices when it clashes with theirs and common convention, but there’s more strength and respect earned by your peers and those who understand sticking by them. Whether you enjoyed it or not, Nomadland goes down as a landmark achievement for cinema as a whole.