Asians across the globe were crying happy tears together with Chloé Zhao as she made history at the Golden Globe Awards 2021!
The 39-year-old filmmaker is the first Asian woman and only the 2nd woman (Regina King and Emerald Fennell) to win the prize for best director. Chloé was 1 of 3 women nominated for directing “Nomadland” in the directing category.
Chloé Zhao takes home the award for Best Motion Picture Director for Nomadland. #GoldenGlobespic.twitter.com/YvPeTUvn1b
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) March 1, 2021
“I especially want to thank the nomads who shared their stories with us,” Chloé said in her winning speech. The “Eternals” director also singled out real-life nomad Bob Wells for his involvement in the movie. “This is what he said about compassion. Compassion is the breakdown of all the barriers between us. A heart to heart pounding. Your pain is my pain. It’s mingled and shared between us.”
“Now this is why I fell in love with making movies and telling stories because it gives us a chance to laugh and cry together and it gives us a chance to learn from each other and to have more compassion for each other,” she remarked. “So thank you everyone who made it possible to do what I love.”
Congratulations to Nomadland for taking home the award for Best Motion Picture, Drama at the #GoldenGlobes!pic.twitter.com/0JFBzERv6s
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) March 1, 2021
For those who don’t know, “Nomadland” is a semi-fictional film that centres on a woman named Fern (played by Oscar winner Frances McDormand) who travels around America as a modern-day nomad. The heartwarming movie also won Best Picture in the drama category.
Barbra Streisand, who was the first woman to win directing honours at the Globes in 1984 for “Yentl”, took to Twitter to offer her congratulatory message, saying “it’s about time!” Many others also praised Chloé for being an inspiration to all the Asian girls out there.
It’s about time! Congratulations Chloé! Well deserved!
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) March 1, 2021
i’m the most proud of chloé zhao. she’s gonna make history this award season. she’s an inspiration to so many people, young girls, young ASIAN girls (including me). she deserves all the love and i’m so proud of her. good nignt 🥰
— sic 🦋 (@siciiily) March 1, 2021
not even kidding i’m sobbing abt chloe zhao’s win this is so inspiring to me GO ASIAN WOMEN
— flor ☆ (@littlewomenfiIm) March 1, 2021
Chloé Zhao remains the most awarded filmmaker in a single awards race for NOMADLAND, with 34 awards for directing, 13 for screenplay, and 9 for editing. pic.twitter.com/vpeCNJknXa
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) February 27, 2021
To quote journalist Diep Tran, “In a time where Asian-Americans are being attacked because we’re still seen as foreign and a disease, Chloe Zhao winning the Golden Globe’s means so much.”
Do check out our review on “Nomadland” here.
