China Has Censored Chloé Zhao’s Oscar Wins for "Nomadland"

She's the first Asian woman to win Best Director at the Academy Awards.

In what should be a watershed moment for Chloé Zhao—the first Asian woman to win Best Director at the Oscars—has been tarnished by her homeland’s reaction.

The Chinese born filmmaker, whose film Nomadland won three awards at the ceremony (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress) is believed to have been left out in the cold by China because of comments she made back in 2013 for Filmmaker Magazine.

It took 11 years for another woman to win Best Director at the #Oscars

• Kathryn Bigelow (2010)
• Chloé Zhao (2021) pic.twitter.com/RE7AJVtZZx
— Films to Films 📽️🎬 (@FilmstoFilms_) April 26, 2021

“It goes back to when I was a teenager in China, being in a place where there are lies everywhere,” she told the publication which drew the attention of the Chinese Communist Party.

According to the ABC, this led the Publicity Department of the CCP to prevent the Oscars being broadcast in China and Hong Kong (which has televised the awards since 1969) as well suspending the release of the film in Chinese cinemas.

Initially there was no acknowledgement of Zhao’s win in Chinese media, but that has since changed with The Global Times—the official news site of the CCP—recognising the director’s win.

“Zhao won the awards, which is a display of her success in the US. We hope she can become more and more mature,” the unknown author writes.

“We feel that the film is typically American and far from the real life of the Chinese people. To be honest, ordinary Chinese people can hardly commiserate with it.”

Immediately following Zhao’s win there was an outpouring of support for her on Chinese social media, but this was quickly censored by the CCP with any trace videos, articles, hashtags, photos and social media posts being removed.

We’re sure Zhao would be disappointed that China’s reaction (or lack of one) to her winning is taking away from the real story of Nomadland winning Best Picture, so it feels only fitting to honour Zhao and tell you to go watch her film.

Nomadland follows Fern (Frances McDormand), a van-dwelling working nomad who leaves town after her husband dies to travel houseless around the United States.

Here's how you can watch it in Australia.