Desert Messenger

8 www.DesertMessenger.com February 17, 2021 NOMADLAND FROM PAGE 1 We knew we could get you to read this ad! For effective advertising, contact Desert Messenger today! Call Rain at 928-916-4235 Email: Editor@DesertMessenger.com or visit www.DesertMessenger.com DO YOU HAVE EXPIRED OR UNUSED MEDICATIONS? DUMP THE DRUGS at QPD! Dispose safely at QUARTZSITE POLICE DEPT. Mon - Fri. 8am-5pm 305 N. Plymouth, Quartzsite 928-927-4644 Space donated by Desert Messenger 585 N. Central Quartzsite Open Mon-Fri 8-5 928-927-8787 Johnny DelPino, Owner BEST AUTO RV & TRUCK REPAIR SERVICE YOU CAN DEPEND ON! Both Swankie and Linda May were cast early on, as they are in Bruder's book. "To me of course, my life seems very normal and or- dinary— reading about myself in Jessica's book was embarrassing and humbling all at the same time," says Swankie. "I put aside some life circumstances for a bit to be in the movie, but it was worth it. Chloé ac- tually wrote my arm sling into the script." Swankie was raised in In- diana and has enjoyed nomadic life on the road for over ten years. In ad- dition to genealogy, her most time- consuming hobby, Swankie is an artist and adventurist in the purest of forms. Swankie has lived in sever- al states, abroad in Iran and Liberia and checked off kayaking in every US state on her 70th birthday. "Some call it a 'trip' or an 'adven- ture'. I do not," sums up Swankie. "It is just living my best life to the fullest and pushing myself. Origi- nally, my goal in life was to be an important part of the lives of my children and grandchildren. That did not seem to be working out in a healthy way for me or for them—It was actually disheartening and de- pressing. I had to redirect my en- ergies to living a healthier lifestyle. For me, that was to become a no- mad. I am not adventuring or sight- seeing or taking trips and return- ing to a home area. I have no home base. I have been a Nomad now for over a decade and I am not tired of it. Everything I own is with me. I do not have to go back anywhere to fetch anything. Being a Nomad is a choice, not a circumstance." The fi lm garnered acclaim, with Metacritic fi nding it to be the fi lm most frequently ranked by critics and publications as the best fi lm of 2020. Swankie has adjusted to her new- found fame, learning how to Zoom, doing countless interviews with the press and studio personnel. Monday evening, Swankie also learned of a sprawling NOMADLAND promo- tional mural featuring Frances Mc- Dormand and herself on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, right on the corner of Sunset and Ivor Avenue. NOMADLAND was named one of the ten best fi lms of 2020 by the Na- tional Board of Review and the Amer- ican Film Institute, and received four Golden Globe nominations, includ- ing Best Motion Picture – Drama at the 78th Golden Globe Awards. NOMADLAND premiered on September 11, 2020 at the Los An- geles Rose Bowl. The drive-in was set in a grassy parking lot outside the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, with over 300 cars, trailers and vans in attendance. Julie Huntsinger, Di- rector of the Telluride Film Fes- tival welcomed the crowd and shared remarks about her relation- ship with Zhao (Zhao's The Rider had screened at the Festival) and Searchlight Pictures. McDormand and Zhao joined her on stage which ended with all cars honking with the excitement of so many of the real- life nomads in attendance. After the screening, KPCC The Frame's John Horn moderated a Q&A with Zhao, McDormand and real-life nomads from the fi lm, Linda May, Swankie, Bob Wells and Derek Endres. At the Venice Film Festival NO- MADLAND won the Golden Lion. It also won the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, making it the fi rst fi lm ever to win the top prize at both Venice and Toronto. It had a one-week-only streaming release on December 4, 2020, and was released by Search- light Pictures in select IMAX the- aters in the United States on Janu- ary 29, 2021, and is scheduled to release simultaneously in the- aters and digitally on Hulu on February 19, 2021. On February 12th, NOMADLAND led Australia's AACTA Interna- tional Awards Nominations with 6 mentions, including Swankie for AACTA Best Supporting Actress nomination! Held in Los Angeles, the AACTA International Awards will produce a highlights package of acceptance speeches which will be available to watch on AACTA's You- Tube channel on March 6 Australia time and March 5 Pacifi c. Chloé Zhao's NOMADLAND also proved the big winner this year at The Seattle Film Critics Society ("SFCS") landing fi ve awards, in- cluding Best Picture of the Year. The fi lm, documenting one woman's turn to a modern-day nomadic life- style following the 2008 economic recession, also earned Zhao the Best Director award and a win for Best Film Editing. Frances McDormand was named Best Actress in a Leading Role, while Joshua James Richards' work behind the camera secured a win for Best Cinematography. In the latest Variety 2021 Oscar predictions, Swankie is listed at #15 for Best Supporting Actess. Oscar nominations will be announced on March 15, 2021, with voting set to take place for six days beginning on March 5. The 93rd annual Academy Awards (The Oscars) are scheduled to air live on ABC on Sunday, April 25, from multiple locations, includ- ing the Dolby Theatre. Swankie said, "It's all just a hoot! I'm really just consider myself a little ol' Grannie Desert Rat." Regarding the experience of work- ing with the fi lm crew, she said, "I re- ally felt more loved, wanted, and ap- preciated while making the fi lm than I have ever felt in my life."

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