Category Archives: Chloé Zhao

Historic wins for Nomadland – and surprise victory for Anthony Hopkins – at odd Oscars

Posted on by

Chloé Zhao made history as the first woman of colour to win best director with her drama about van-dwellers as Hopkins and Frances McDormand won top acting honours

During an unusual Oscars ceremony, on-the-road drama Nomadland triumphed with a win for best picture, best actress and a historic victory for Chloé Zhao, becoming the first woman of colour to be named best director and only the second woman ever.

The film, starring Frances McDormand as a woman living out of her van and interacting with real-life nomads, took home the top trophy near the end of a delayed night and a delayed season amid the pandemic. The ceremony played out in person but with safety precautions and a modest guest list.

Continue reading...

Real-life plot twists leave Oscars struggling to adapt to new reality

Posted on by

Lockdowns, the rise of streaming and demands for diversity are forcing change on the 93rd Academy Awards

No full-blown red carpet, no outfit questions, no after-parties – many involved in Sunday’s Oscars are happy to take a break from a four-hour seated ceremony that, some argue, has long put the movie industry’s in-house favourites, the promotion of luxury lifestyles and virtue-signalling ahead of peer-reviewed creative recognition.

The event has been under reconstruction since the #OscarsSoWhite campaign forced an expansion of the voting body’s membership and drafting of inclusivity requirements that will come into effect next year.

Continue reading...

And the winner should be … Peter Bradshaw’s predictions for the 2021 Oscars

Posted on by

Will Nomadland clean up this year? Will Anthony Hopkins get best actor? Our film critic gives the low down on the contenders for the Academy Awards

Will win: Nomadland
Should win: Nomadland
Shoulda been a contender: Quo Vadis, Aida?

Continue reading...