The absolute worst Oscar season is about to come to an end. Chloe Zhao has just won the Director’s Guild of America for her filmmaking in “Nomadland.” Congratulations are in order for Zhao, the first woman of colour to ever win the award, but, gosh, what an undeserving winner, to say the least.
I know, I’m in the minority when it comes to my belief that “Nomadland” is an unexceptional film. Alas, time will not be kind to Zhao’s opus, it’s just a very well-timed film for the current virtue-signaling zeitgeist. it also helps that it was released in a year where most of the great movies got delayed to 2021 or until theatres fully re-open. Not “Nomadland,” it made sure to jump on the opportunity and take advantage of the skimp amount of quality films.
And yet, there were so many better-directed movies to choose from this past year: Eliza Hittman’s “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” Steve McQueen’s “Lovers Rock,” Kelly Reichardt’s “First Cow,” Darius Marder’s “Sound of Metal,” just to name a few.
“Nomadland” will win Best Picture and Zhao the Best Director Oscar. Bet on it.