Oscars 2021: ‘Nomadland’ makes history at the 93rd Academy Awards

Chloé Zhao made history at the 2021 Oscars as the first woman of colour to win best director with Nomadland, her drama about van-dwellers as Hopkins and Frances McDormand won top acting honours

During an unusual Oscars ceremony, Nomadland triumphed with a win for best picture, best actress, and a historic victory for Chloé Zhao. Zhao became the first woman of colour to win best director and only the second woman ever, after Katheryn Bigelow.

In her speech, she called making the film a “crazy once-in-a-lifetime journey”. 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 the night and the award season; both delayed by the pandemic. The ceremony played out in person but with safety precautions and a modest guest list.

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“Please watch our movie on the largest screen possible and one day soon take everyone you know, shoulder-to-shoulder, in that dark space and watch every film that’s represented here tonight,” McDormand, who also acts as producer on the film, said in her speech, winning two Oscars for picture and actress.

Best actor controversy

While many had expected Chadwick Boseman to posthumously win best actor for his performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Anthony Hopkins caused an upset by winning for his role in The Father, a drama about dementia. He wasn’t available to give a speech.

Daniel Kaluuya picked up the award for best supporting actor for his role as the Black Panther Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah; beating out his co-star LaKeith Stanfield, who also had a nomination in that category. Speaking of Hampton, he said the Black Panthers “showed us the power of union and power of unity”. Kaluuya added: “There’s so much work to do, guys, and that’s on everyone in this room”. The film also won the best original song for Fight For You by H.E.R.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom won for costume design and best makeup and hairstyling; with Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson the first black winners of the award. “I know that one day it won’t be unusual or groundbreaking. It will just be normal for black women, trans women, and Latinas to be claiming Oscars,” Neal said.

The Riz Ahmed-led drama Sound of Metal won for sound and editing. Netflix won seven awards during the night, the most of any studio or streaming platform.