Nomadland (2020)
A desolate beautiful experience that still won't make you want to leave your home.
Presentation:
Chloe Zhao implements similar introspective naturalistic style from The Rider but this time is carried by a charasmatic performance from Frances McDormand. Blending a documentary style with indie filmmaking, the experience of reality and cinema become blurred once you realize that many of the cast are actual proud nomads. Visually I am a fan as there is minimal lighting opting to shoot sunset, overcast and blue hour, my favorite times to shoot.
Analysis:
The documentary aspects are most engaging until you reach the later half, which becomes more narrative. To me, this betrayed the organic feeling and felt somewhat manipulative in an attempt to add some artistic commentary on the experience in post. The film was unsuccessful in selling me the merits of nomad life despite the camaraderie.
Conclusion:
This really could be considered a documentary and a beautiful one primarily using natural light. But the passive storytelling was not particularly interesting. It borrows cues and tones from Lost in Translation, but i felt more lost with this one.
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