Nomadland

Nomadland is a 2020 American drama film written, directed and edited by Chloé Zhao, based on Jessica Bruder’s nonfiction book *Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century*.

Nomadland is a 2020 American drama film written, directed and edited by Chloé Zhao, based on Jessica Bruder’s nonfiction book *Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century*. It stars Frances McDormand as Fern, a widow who travels across the American West living in her van after the loss of her home and livelihood. The film also features real-life nomads in fictionalized versions of themselves, including Linda May, Swankie and Bob Wells.

Premise

Nomadland centres on Fern, a widow who leaves Nevada and travels through the American West in a van after the collapse of her former life.

Production and source material

The film adapts Jessica Bruder’s nonfiction book and was written, directed and edited by Chloé Zhao.

Cast

The film stars Frances McDormand and David Strathairn, and includes appearances by real-life nomads Linda May, Swankie and Bob Wells.

Reception and awards

Nomadland received critical acclaim and won three major Oscars at the 93rd Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Filming

Source material identifies locations in the American West; IMDb lists Badlands National Park in South Dakota among the filming locations.