Nomadland

Movie Trailer

Release Date
February 19, 2021

Genre
Drama

Cast & Crew

• Frances McDormand as Fern
• David Strathairn as Dave
• Linda May as Linda
• Swankie as Swankie
• Bob Wells as Bob

Director
Chloé Zhao

Other Movies Director is Known For:

• The Rider (2017)
• Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015)
• Eternals (2021)

Producer
Frances McDormand
Peter Spears
Mollye Asher
Dan Janvey
Chloé Zhao

Writer
Chloé Zhao
Based on the book Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century by Jessica Bruder

Budget
$5 million

Production Company
Searchlight Pictures
Highwayman Films
Cor Cordium Productions

Running Time
107 minutes

Languages
English (Original)

Maturity Rating
R

Content Advisory

• Some language
• Brief nudity
• Mature themes related to economic hardship and loss

Movie Story
Nomadland is a poignant drama that follows Fern (Frances McDormand), a woman in her 60s who, after the economic collapse of her hometown in rural Nevada, embarks on a journey through the American West living as a modern-day nomad. The film is based on the non-fiction book by Jessica Bruder, which explores the lives of older Americans who have adopted a transient lifestyle, traveling from place to place in search of work and community.

Fern, having lost her job and her husband, sells most of her belongings and moves into a van that she retrofits into her home on wheels. As she travels across the country, Fern takes on various temporary jobs, from working in an Amazon fulfillment center to being a camp host at a national park. Along the way, she meets other nomads, forming connections with people who, like her, have chosen—or been forced into—this alternative way of life.

The film captures the beauty and hardship of life on the road, portraying the vast landscapes of the American West with a meditative, almost poetic, quality. Fern’s journey is not just physical but deeply emotional, as she navigates her grief, loneliness, and the sense of dislocation that comes from being untethered to a single place.

Nomadland is notable for its blend of fiction and reality, with real-life nomads like Linda May, Swankie, and Bob Wells playing versions of themselves alongside Frances McDormand. This approach lends the film an authenticity that blurs the line between documentary and narrative cinema, offering a deeply humanistic portrayal of a segment of society that is often overlooked.

The film explores themes of resilience, community, and the search for meaning in a world where traditional notions of home and security have been upended. Despite the hardships she faces, Fern’s journey is also one of self-discovery and freedom, as she learns to embrace the nomadic lifestyle and the connections she forms along the way.

Special Effects
Nomadland relies on naturalistic cinematography and real locations rather than special effects. The film’s visual style is characterized by its use of natural light and expansive landscapes, capturing the beauty and desolation of the American West. The cinematography, by Joshua James Richards, plays a crucial role in conveying the film’s themes, with wide shots of the open road and intimate close-ups of Fern and her fellow nomads. The film’s aesthetic is understated yet powerful, using the natural world to reflect the internal landscapes of its characters.

Box Office Performance
Nomadland had a limited theatrical release and was simultaneously available on the streaming service Hulu in the United States. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the film garnered significant critical acclaim and went on to become one of the most awarded films of the year. It grossed approximately $39 million worldwide, an impressive figure given the limited release and the pandemic’s impact on the box office.

Filming Locations

• Arizona, USA
• South Dakota, USA
• Nebraska, USA
• Nevada, USA
• California, USA

Notable Quotes

• “I’m not homeless. I’m just houseless. Not the same thing, right?” – Fern
• “One of the things I love most about this life is that there’s no final goodbye. You know, I’ve met hundreds of people out here, and I don’t ever say a final goodbye. I just say, ‘I’ll see you down the road.’ And I do.” – Bob Wells
• “What’s remembered, lives.” – Fern

Behind-the-Scenes
Director Chloé Zhao took a deeply collaborative approach to Nomadland, working closely with real-life nomads to ensure the authenticity of their portrayals. Frances McDormand, who also served as a producer, fully immersed herself in the role of Fern, living in a van and taking on real jobs alongside other nomads. The film was shot over several months in various locations across the American West, with a small crew that allowed for an intimate and unobtrusive filming process. Zhao’s previous experience with non-professional actors in her earlier films influenced her approach to Nomadland, resulting in a film that feels both personal and universal.

Awards

• Won Best Picture at the 2021 Academy Awards
• Won Best Director (Chloé Zhao) at the 2021 Academy Awards
• Won Best Actress (Frances McDormand) at the 2021 Academy Awards
• Won the Golden Lion at the 2020 Venice Film Festival
• Won Best Motion Picture – Drama at the 2021 Golden Globe Awards

Final Verdict
Nomadland is a masterful exploration of life on the margins of society, offering a deeply humanistic and empathetic portrayal of people who have chosen—or been forced—to live outside the conventional structures of home and work. Frances McDormand delivers a powerful, understated performance as Fern, capturing the resilience and quiet dignity of a woman who finds meaning in the open road and the connections she makes along the way. Chloé Zhao’s direction and Joshua James Richards’ cinematography create a visual poem that lingers long after the film ends. Nomadland is a profound and moving film that speaks to the search for belonging in an ever-changing world.

IMDb Rating
7.3/10