Quote of the day: Nomadland director Chloé Zhao
Chloe Zhao photo: Guardian
Receiving her Bafta award for best director on Zoom, earlier this month, Chloé Zhao thanked the community who had welcomed her into their lives to film Nomadland:
‘ Thank you for showing us that ageing is a beautiful part of life. A journey that we should all cherish and celebrate. How we treat our elders says a lot about who we are as a society and we need to do better.’
The ever-brilliant Frances McDormand is up for best actress; if she wins this will be the 63-year-old’s third Oscar, after Fargo (1996) and Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri (2018). And Chloé Zhao could make history as the first Asian American woman to win an Academy Award for best director. It’s great to see more diversity, more actors and directors of colour and more women being celebrated, at last.
Can’t wait to see Nomadland.
Discussion (16 Comments)
Yes, I LOVED Youn Yuh-Jung in Minari, so brilliant and funny. And yes, he was a superstar; so young…
Desna Pemberton says:
Your Saturday column in the Telegraph makes my day.such useful suggestions. Big thanks
Clare F says:
Chloe Zhao’s Oscars ceremony outfit was perfectly judged and she looked wonderful. Terrific dress that really suited her, white trainers and minimal or no makeup. Great, intelligent dressing!
Sandie Saulsbury says:
Haven’t seen the film yet….. but it is enough that Frances McDormand is starring in it to watch it as soon as possible. I love Chloe’s quote of the day. We don’t cherish our elderly as some cultures do and we battle with trying to remain looking young but as she says we should embrace it and treat our elderly with more love and respect. We have so much to offer.
MaureenC says:
Well it’s the morning after and she’s made history! So pleased to see Frances McD’s success too.
Susan says:
Congratulations to Ms. Zhao for a well deserved honor. Every time I watch Francis McDormand lead in a movie, I think “That’s her best yet.” Nomadland may really be her best ever for many reasons. Among them, she doesn’t appear to have a drop of makeup or hair services in the entire film. The film doesn’t shine up the poor to make them more appealing. It portrays real existence.
I am so pleased that I subscribe to your blog. It is smart, insightful and classy.AnneHH says:
Though many years apart, Chloe Zhao and I graduated from the same college (uni, to you Brits) in the US, Mount Holyoke, which is the oldest U.S. school of higher education for women, founded in 1837. We are a very proud sisterhood and I am so appreciative that you chose to profile Chloe in your blog today. I loved having the option of going to a women’s college for those four formative years as I believe that it taught me to reach for the stars. How exciting to see Chloe break barriers last night! This is a win for all women, but also, I believe, an endorsement of the education provided by women’s colleges.
Saw the film long before all the awards…..on Hulu. It is emotionally and visually stunning. I will never forget it.
Beth Lowe says:
I have seen Nomadland twice. It is brilliant, compelling with special performances by everyone. It is a lesson in humanity and how many people had to restructure their lives in the 2008 economic crisis. I am a huge fan of Frances MacDormand and she quietly embodies her character with dignity. It had so much to think about, I watched it a second time. This proved essential.
Mrs Tonia says:
I’ve been a fan of Frances McDormand for years especially in her many roles in Coen brothers films and in Three Billboards. I’m looking forward to seeing Nomadland on the big screen when cinemas are permitted to reopen here in England once more. In her acceptance speech for her third Oscar win as best actress she made a call out for seeing films, hers included, on a cinema screen not at home. So this film is a treat to look forward to as is Minari and The Father. These I hope to see in a cinema also. Congratulations to all involved including Chloe Zhao. She accepted her Bafta award in a plaid work shirt and denim dungarees remotely and her Oscar in Hermes dress. As the Times puts it today : “Keeping it more real was Chloe Zhao. It was not only her game-changing wins – best film and best director for Nomadland- that broke new ground at the Academy Awards. Turns out the shoes of a Hollywood A-Lister can now be trainers. “
Yes indeed.I loved what Frances McDormand said in her acceptance speech about going to see films at the cinema again – it made me feel quite emotional. I’ve been holding out for Nomadland on a big screen…
I watched Nomadland and am looking forward to seeing her two previous films.
I had watched The Sound of Metal the night before. Two movies tracing individuals coming to grips with life changes that they were faced with. Plenty to mull over with lots of kindness and compassion.
Beautiful.
Sarah 
Maggie Alderson 
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great to see three actors over 60 (and their characters and stories) win in the four acting categories. but so sorry chad boseman didn’t live to grow old and make a hundred movies more. and chloe zhao rocks.