At a lower-key Venice Film Festival than normal thanks to the COVID crisis, Chloé Zhao Nomadland has picked up the Golden Lion award.
Having received rave reviews since its premiere in Venice and subsequently after its screening in Toronto, Nomadland stars Frances McDormand as a woman grappling with a newfound transient life on the road following the economic collapse of her town. It is director Chloé Zhao’s third film, following her successful sophomore feature The Rider. She will also direct a Marvel film, Eternals, which is slated for 2021 release.
Vanessa Kirby picked up the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her performance as a grieving mother opposite Shia LaBeouf in Pieces of a Woman, while Pierfrancesco Favino won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for his role in Padrenostro. Michel Franco’s New Order picked up the Silver Lion (Grand Jury Prize).
The winner of the Golden Lion is often an airtight indicator of what will go on to storm the Academy Awards. Recent winners include Joker in 2019, Roma in 2018 and The Shape of Water in 2017.
Words by Steph Green
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