Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland,” a wistful portrait of itinerant lives on open roads across the American West, won best picture Sunday at the 93rd Academy Awards, where the China-born Zhao became the first woman of color to win best director and a historically diverse group of winners took home awards.
When “Nomadland” won the Academy Award for Best Picture on Sunday, Nebraska landed its second Best Picture Oscar.
Of course, the state's first Best Picture award was 1983’s “Terms of Endearment,” which was filmed primarily in Lincoln. It won five Oscars, including Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay.
“Nomadland" was nominated in six categories, winning three, with Frances McDormand, who produced the film, taking the Best Actress Oscar, and Chloé Zhao becoming only the second woman and first woman of color to be named Best Director.
Zhao has a career-long relationship with Nebraska that began in 2016 when she appeared at the Ross Media Arts Center for a screening of her first film, “Songs My Brother Taught Me,” a family story that was set in and filmed on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
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Zhao returned to Pine Ridge for 2018’s story of a Native rodeo cowboy, “The Rider.” A few scenes in that picture were filmed outside Rushville and at Omaha’s QLI Rehabilitation Center.
For “Nomadland,” Zhao brought her traveling cast and crew to Scottsbluff, where they filmed for several days, shooting in front of the Midwest Theater, at a gas station and restaurant and, primarily, at the Western Sugar Cooperative sugar beet plant.
It's there that Fern, the film’s central character played by McDormand, takes a temporary job, processing beets.
The film brought McDormand back to the Scottsbluff area, where her husband, Joel Coen, and his brother Ethan filmed a segment of their 2018 anthology film, “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.”
“These stories we’re seeing that are coming to Nebraska, at that end of the state, they’re written into the screenplays,” said State Film Officer Laurie Richards. “We’re blessed in that regard. Those pictures are bringing a view of what Nebraska has to offer, especially in the west, which hasn’t been seen.”
“Nomadland” opened at the Ross on its national release day in February. But Zhao didn’t return to Lincoln to speak during the film’s month-long run.
“I didn’t even bother to ask her” said Ross Director Danny Lee Ladely. “I was in touch with her, and she’s working (another movie)."
Her new project is “Eternals,” a Marvel superhero picture starring Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek that is set for release Nov. 5.
“Nomadland” is one of several Oscar-winning movies that have played the Ross since it reopened in August. The other films, and their awards, are:
* “The Father,” Anthony Hopkins, Actor and Adapted Screenplay.
* “Minari,” Yuh-Jung Youn, Supporting Actress.
* “Another Round,” Best International Feature.
* “Two Distant Strangers,” Live Action Short.
* “If Anything Happens to You,” Animated Short.
* “Collette,” Documentary Short.
16 movies set in Nebraska
Bad Grandpa
Johnny Knoxville and Jackson Nicoll star in "Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa." Though the movie wasn't filmed here, Knoxville's character, Irving Zisman, is from Lincoln, and part of the movie is set in the Capital City.
Election
Tracy Flick runs for student body president of an Omaha high school in "Election." Reese Witherspoon plays Flick in the film directed by Alexander Payne.
About Schmidt
Jack Nicholson plays Warren Schmidt in director Alexander Payne's film "About Schmidt." The character lives in Omaha.
Boys Don't Cry
"Boys Don't Cry" is based on the life and death of Brandon Teena, part of which took place in Nebraska. Pictured: Chloe Sevigny (left) and Hilary Swank
Children of the Corn
"Children of the Corn" follows cult of creepy, murderous kids in the fictional Nebraska town of Gatlin.
Mr. Woodcock
Sean William Scott plays an author who returns to his hometown in Nebraska to receive an award in "Mr. Woodcock." When he gets there, he learns his former teacher, Mr. Woodcock, played by Billy Bob Thornton, is dating his mother, played by Susan Sarandon.
Nebraska
Is there any more Nebraska-esque film than "Nebraska"? The film, directed by Alexander Payne, stars Bruce Dern (pictured) and Will Forte. As the name implies, Nebraska serves as the backdrop for the film.
Peacock
"Peacock," follows the aftermath of a train accident in rural Peacock, Nebraska. The 2010 film stars Ellen Page (pictured), Cillian Murphy and Susan Sarandon.
The Indian Runner
Vigo Mortensen (left) stars in "The Indian Runner," a movie set in 1960s Nebraska. Sean Penn (left) wrote the script.
Heaven is for Real
"Heaven is for Real," based on a book of the same name," is the story of a Nebraska boy who has a near-death experience. Pictured: Connor Corum (left) and Greg Kinnear
Boys Town
Spencer Tracy (left) plays Father Flanagan and Mickey Rooney plays Whitey Marsh in "Boys Town," which is set in Omaha.
The Stand
Technically "The Stand" was a TV miniseries, but it's become a classic for Stephen King fans. The large cast included Gary Sinise (pictured), Molly Ringwald, Rob Lowe, Laura San Giacomo, Ruby Bee and Miguel Ferrer.
Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach
Brando Eaton (left) and Seann William Scott star in "Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach," which was set in Lincoln. Lincoln natives Andy Stock and Rick Stempson wrote the screenplay for the film.
Slap Shot 2
"Slap Shot" is a classic film starring Paul Newman. This is not that movie. "Slap Shot 2" follows the same hockey team, which has been moved to Nebraska, but this time the film stars Stephen Baldwin and Gary Busey.
Night of the Twisters
"Night of the Twisters" is set in the fictional town of Blainsworth, Nebraska, and is loosely based on the 1980 Grand Island tornadoes. The 1996 made-for-TV movie stars Devon Sawa and John Schneider.
The Gallows
"The Gallows" is a horror movie co-directed, co-written and co-produced by Chris Lofing of Beatrice.
