Zhao: 1st Asian woman to win best director Oscar

The Chinese born film maker Chloe Zhao has become the first Asian woman to win the Best director at the Academy Awards. She won the award for her film Nomadland.

About Chloe Zhao

Zhao was born in China and went to a boarding school in London. She then moved to Los Angeles where she completed her high school. Her debut film was Songs My Brothers Taught me. It was premiered at Sundance Film Festival. Her second film was The Rider. It received nominations at the Independent Spirit Award for the Best Film and Best Director.

Nomadland

Nomadland won three major awards namely Best Director, Best Actress for Frances McDormand and Best Picture. The film is about a woman who leaves town after her husband dies. She also becomes houseless as sole industry closes down. She then lives in a van and travels around the US.

Academy Awards

• The Academy Awards is also known as Oscars. They are awarded for artistic and technical merit in the film industry. They are considered as the most prestigious awards in the world.
• The winners are awarded with a copy of a Golden Statuette as trophy. The trophy is officially called “Academy Award of Merit”.
• The award was designed by Cedric Gibbons and sculpted by George Stanley.
• It was first presented in 1929.

India at Oscars

• Bhanu Athaiya was the first Indian to win Oscar in 1982. She won the award for Best Costume Design for the movie Gandhi.
• As of 2021, thirteen Indians were nominated for Oscars and eight have won in scientific and technical category.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2021