“The Rider” director Chloe Zhao’s “Nomadland” has won the top prize of the Golden Lion for best film at the 77th Venice International Film Festival.
Frances McDormand plays a widow from a collapsed Nevada mining town who finds new life on the road among, endlessly travelling. The Silver Lion runner-up prize went to Michael Franco for “New Order”.
Other winners this year include Kiyoshi Kurosawa winning best director for “Wife of a Spy,” Vanessa Kirby taking best actress for “Pieces of a Woman,” Pierfrancesco Favino best actor for “Padrenostro,” Chaitanya Tamhane’s screenplay for “The Disciple,” and a special jury prize for Andrey Konchalovskiy’s “Dear Comrades”.
Searchlight Pictures will likely position “Nomadland” as its big awards contender this year with plans for a December 4th release in North America. Other recent winners of the Golden Lion have included “Joker,” “Roma,” and “The Shape of Water”.