Following her brilliant and tender breakout feature “The Rider,” Chloé Zhao’s next move has been hotly anticipated – making moves at Marvel Studios as well as working on her followup film, “Nomadland,” starring Frances McDormand. Thankfully, the wait to see it won’t be long, as today it was unveiled that Zhao’s third film has been set to world premiere on September 11 on the Lido, with a simultaneous screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, both of which will feature virtual introductions by producer, writer, editor, and director Zhao, and producer and actor McDormand.
Searchlight Pictures Chairmen Nancy Utley and Steve Gilula announced today a series of global screenings to commemorate the upcoming feature film, which will also be showing at Telluride, and New York Film Festivals.
READ MORE: Spike Lee’s Filmed Version Of ‘American Utopia’ To Open This Year’s TIFF
Though Telluride has canceled its 47th edition due to the global pandemic, a special drive-in screening will be hosted in Southern California later in the evening, featuring in-person appearances by Zhao and McDormand. Additionally, the New York Film Festival announced “Nomadland” as the Centerpiece Selection of the 58th edition of the festival, leading into a domestic theatrical release this fall, subsequently rolling out internationally.
Zhao adapted “Nomadland” from journalist Jessica Bruder’s 2017 non-fiction book “Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century”. The film follows Fern (McDormand), a woman who, after the economic collapse of a company town in rural Nevada, packs her van and sets off on the road exploring a life outside of conventional society as a modern-day nomad. The film features real nomads Linda May, Swankie, and Bob Wells as Fern’s mentors and comrades in her journey.
The simultaneous world premieres are a major statement of intent, in continuation of the “spirit of collaboration” promised by international film festivals this year. “Chloé reminds us that film has the power to connect us no matter how far apart we might seem,” said Utley and Gilula.
“‘Nomadland’ is a film that acquires particular meaning in a moment of pandemic induced seclusion, proving that values like mutual support and a strong sense of community can save us from solitude, failure, and despair,” said Venice International Film Festival Director Alberto Barbera. “I am also happy to share the opportunity to support this beautiful film with our fellow festivals of Telluride, Toronto, and New York: a concrete sign of solidarity and collaboration in this unprecedented and difficult time.”
“Nomadland” is produced by Frances McDormand, Peter Spears (“Call Me by Your Name”), Mollye Asher (“The Rider“), Dan Janvey (“Beasts of the Southern Wild”), and Chloé Zhao (“The Rider”). Zhao also directed the upcoming Marvel Studios release “Eternals,” set for release in 2021 by Walt Disney Studios.
