Nomadland triumphed at the Oscars this weekend, winning three awards – including Best Actress for protagonist Frances McDormand, Best Picture and Best Director for Chloé Zhao.
The film portrays modern nomads in the US, who find themselves living in their vans while going between temporary jobs and travelling around the American hinterland – and these incredible pictures reveal the real-life people represented in the award-winning film.
Drivers who are part of the mid-Atlantic chapter of a group called RVing Women are seen participating in an RV camping weekend at the Ramblin Pines campsite just outside of Baltimore in Woodbine, Maryland, this weekend.
The members are captured drinking wine together and laughing with one another while sitting around a fire, with their motorhomes surrounding them.
One woman pictured in the joyful snaps is Kathy Wardell, a 56-year-old who decided to live full-time in her van from October. She is seen beaming at the camera while posing by her home.
RVing Women was founded in 1991 and boasts more than 2,000 members. Some travel alone and are retired, while others go together in small groups and continue working.
‘We want women to develop skills and friendships in that special atmosphere of a women-only space’, said the organizers on their website.
Nomadland, which was released on February 19, 2021, is based off of the 2017 non-fiction book by Jessica Bruder, who wrote the novel based on her experiences with older people still dealing with the impacts of the 2007-2009 recession.
Recently widowed and now jobless Fern (played by McDormand) travels around in a van as she encounters a burgeoning subculture of those whose lives have been ravaged by the financial crisis and, too poor to retire, find themselves living like modern nomads. They go between temporary jobs while living in their vehicles.
Kathy Wardell center, smiles with other members who are part of the mid-Atlantic chapter of a group called RVing Women. The group is made up of modern nomads, who find themselves living in their vans and travelling around the American hinterland
The group (pictured) are seen participating in an RV camping weekend at the Ramblin Pines campsite just outside of Baltimore in Woodbine, Maryland, this weekend. RVing Women was founded in 1991 and boasts more than 2,000 members. Some travel alone and are retired, while others go together in small groups and continue working
Dressed in a check shirt and blue jeans, Myrt Yarbrough gives a treat to her dog Lucky during the camping weekend, while other modern nomads sit together in a circle in the background. ‘We want women to develop skills and friendships in that special atmosphere of a women-only space’, said the organizers on their website
Nomadland, which follows protagonist Fern (played by Frances McDormand, pictured) travelling around in a van, triumphed at the Oscars this weekend, winning three awards – including Best Actress, Best Picture and Best Director for Chloé Zhao
The film portrays modern nomads in the US, who find themselves living in their vans while going between temporary jobs and travelling around the American hinterland – and these incredible photos (pictured) reveal the real-life people represented in the award-winning film
Women chat with one another while forming a circle with their colorful seats. Nomadland, which was released on February 19, 2021, is based off of the 2017 non-fiction book by Jessica Bruder, who wrote the novel based on her experiences with older people still dealing with the impacts of the 2007-2009 recession
Two women talk to one another while standing outside their motorhomes. In Nomadland, recently widowed and now jobless Fern (played by McDormand) travels around in a van as she encounters a burgeoning subculture of those whose lives have been ravaged by the financial crisis and, too poor to retire, find themselves living like modern nomads
Sandy Bosley (pictured right) and Kathy Healy (pictured left), members of the RVing Women mid-Atlantic chapter, are seen inside their motorhome during the camping event this weekend
One woman pictured in the joyful snaps is Kathy Wardell (above), a 56-year-old who decided to live full-time in her van from October. She is seen beaming at the camera while posing by her home
Many modern nomads, who have decided to live in vans rather than houses while exploring the American hinterland, go between temporary jobs while living in their vehicles. Pictured, members of the group chat with one another while sitting outside their homes
Rue Watson (pictured left) and a beaming Sandi Muller (pictured right) talk to each other while standing next to the RVing Women’s circle of chairs at the Ramblin Pines campsite
Wearing face masks to stay safe during the pandemic, Sandy Bosley (pictured left) and Kathy Healy (pictured right) leave their van to join the other members at the campsite
Members of the RVing Women are captured drinking together and laughing with one another while sitting around a fire, with their motorhomes surrounding them
Members of the RVing Women mid-Atlantic chapter walk past a sign placed for the group during a camping weekend at the Ramblin Pines campsite. The sign reads: ‘Welcome to Kathy and Sandy’s campfire, where friends and marshmallows get toasted at the same time’
RVs are parked at the Ramblin Pines Campsite just outside of Baltimore in Woodbine. The curtain falls on award season with Nomadland taking three of the biggest Oscars, but for the women whose lifestyle the film portrays, the curtain will continue to rise, quite literally, on the vast American landscape (pictured)