Chloé Zhaocontinues to make history this awards season.
TheNomadlanddirector, 39, became the second woman ever to win the directing category at the BAFTA Awards, as well as the first Asian woman to win the prize.
In heracceptance speech, Zhao happily said she made her college teacher “really proud,” and thanked the film’s producers for “creating such a safe and encouraging environment for me to always challenge myself and to play.”
Chloe Zhao.
Nomadland also won best film, leading actress (Frances McDormand) and cinematography (Joshua James Richards). According to theAssociated Press, Zhao said of her historic win, “If this means more people like me get to live their dreams, then I feel very grateful.”
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In February, Zhao became thesecond woman to win best directorat theGolden Globes, coming after Barbra Streisand won the category in 1984 forYentl.
At the Academy Awards, which will air April 25, Zhao isalso nominated for best director, where, for the first time ever, more than one woman has been nominated in the director’s category (Emerald Fennell is also nominated forPromising Young Woman). Bigelow remains the only woman to win best director atthe Oscars, also forThe Hurt Locker.
Zhao, who previously made several independent films such asThe Rider, received buzz for her work inNomadland, which follows the story of Fern (McDormand), who becomes a drifter after losing her home in the 2008 recession.
Zhao has several projects in the pipeline, including her biggest film yet: the upcoming Marvel superhero movieThe Eternals, starringAngelina Jolieand Salma Hayek.
Nomadlandis now playing in select theaters and available to stream on Hulu.
source: people.com
