Director and Actor Chloe Zhao had a proud smile winning the best picture award for her film “Nomadland” at the 93rd Academy Awards. She became the first person woman of color to win the best director. Also, the Oscars were certainly more diverse in big wins this year. Although Boseman didn’t win for his final performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” Anthony Hopkins paid a small tribute to him after he won for best actor in “The Father.”
The “Nomadland” victory was certainly a triumph because it used a lot of nonactors and the budget was very modest by Hollywood standards at just $5 million. The emotion it captured resonated well especially in a grief-stricken pandemic year. It hit all the right notes on a relatable scale. The essence of people gravitating towards the message is something people can feel on many levels.
Zhao said she can find goodness in people all over the world when she accepted her award. She gave a shoutout to the people who have the courage and faith in themselves to hold onto goodness no matter how tough it gets. “Nomadland” star Frances McDormand encouraged more people to see the film on the largest screen possible. Shortly after, she won the best actress category, which is her third win for that award. This is by far been the most ambitious award show during the pandemic. The red carpet brought some much-needed light and glamour to an abysmal year.
This time brought a bit of change especially after being ridiculed with the phrase “OscarsSoWhite.” More women and actors of colors were represented in these awards than ever. There were many firsts and records amongst the stylistic changes that occurred this year at the awards show. The ceremony felt like its own movie. The opening credits and Regina King with an amazing entrance strode to the Los Angeles’ Union Station with confidence and Oscar in hand. Also, the relaxed and down-home feel of Glenn Close dancing to “Da Butt” from the famous D.C. Gogo band, E.U. made it a fun event.
However, it couldn’t hide the seriousness of the current climate with the pandemic with King saying it’s been quite a year and we’re still in the middle of it. Daniel Kaluuya won best-supporting actor for “Judas and the Black Messiah” and Youn Yuh-jung won best-supporting actress in “Minari.”The red carpet was back but with socially distanced terms. All in all, it was one of the more interesting awards shows this year.