From writer and director Chloé Zhao, adapted from a book written by Jessica Bruder, Nomadland shows us real, honest stories about people simply being people. Depicted with candidness are the highs and lows, the pain and peace, and the turmoil and tranquility of everyday life. We see people absorbing the wholesome beauty of the natural world, and pondering the very nature of their existence and purpose as members of the human race.
Frances McDormand portrays Fern, a woman from Nevada who loses her job during the economic turmoil of the Recession and begins a life of minimalism. Living out of a van and traveling across the country, Fern becomes detached from the materialistic nature of our society and has more opportunities to personally reflect on spirituality and faithfulness. This is not directly represented as “religion” in the traditional sense, Christianity or otherwise, but the perceived presence of the divine plays heavily into the lives of Fern and other nomads she meets along the way, like Linda May, Swankie, and her spiritual guide of sorts, Bob Wells. Fern also faces the unapologetic reality of our mortality, as a close friend passes away.
Yet, as Bob Wells says, “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 always just say, ‘I’ll see you down the road.’”
This is a relatively simple statement that contains an unbelievably powerful reminder that our legacy is defined by the people we touch along the way. We do not have to change the entire world single-handedly in order to carry out God’s will. Rather, it is the intentions we bring to each individual interaction and moment that reveal our ultimate essence. The compassion, empathy, and humanity that should drive our actions as we plainly exist and live in the Kingdom of God construct the core of our livelihoods. The contrast of the grace and rawness found in Nomadland makes a lovely case for this organic, transparent outlook.
— Thomas Manning, Co-host of Meet Me at the Movies
Directed by: Chloé Zhao
Produced by: Mollye Asher; Chloé Zhao; Frances McDormand; Peter Spears
Written by: Chloé Zhao; Jessica Bruder
Cinematography by: Joshua James Richards
Editing by: Chloé Zhao
Release Date: 2020
Running Time: 108
Language: English
Arts & Faith lists:
2020 Ecumenical Jury: #1