“I’m not homeless. I’m just houseless,” says Frances McDormand in a new trailer for “Nomadland.” Written and directed by Chloé Zhao, the Oscar frontrunner tells the story of Fern, a woman from a Nevada mining town destroyed by the Great Recession. The 60-something begins living as a modern-day nomad, traveling across the American West in her camping van.
Told it’s “a tough time right now” and she “may want to consider early retirement,” Fern manages to find work on the road. “I need work,” she explains. “I like work.”
Fern’s journey also sees her becoming part of a community of like-minded nomads.
McDormand won Oscars for her performances in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “Fargo.” She also received nods for “North Country,” “Almost Famous,” and “Mississippi Burning.”
Zhao’s last project, 2017 cowboy drama “The Rider,” was named best picture by the National Society of Film Critics. She made her feature debut with 2015’s “Songs My Brothers Taught Me.” Next up for Zhao is “The Eternals,” a Marvel pic about super-powered individuals fighting to control the universe.
“Nomadland” opens February 19. The Boston Society of Film Critics awards recently named Zhao as Best Director and “Nomadland” as their Best Picture of the year. The drama took home top honors at Venice Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival.
