Chloe Zhao’s Nomadland wins top prize at Venice Film Festival

Writer-director Chloe Zhao Picture: Taylor Jewell/AP

Chloe Zhao’s Nomadland, a recession-era road trip drama starring Frances McDormand, won the Golden Lion for best film at the Venice Film Festival, held against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.

Zhao and McDormand appeared by video on Saturday to accept the award from the United States, where travel restrictions made reaching the Lido difficult if not impossible for many Hollywood filmmakers and actors.