What’s authentic and what’s acting for nomads?
Real-life community members unlikely stars of ‘Nomadland’
In her wildest dreams, Charlene Swankie never imagined that Hollywood would come calling — or even know how to find her.
At age 64, struggling to make her rent, Swankie had moved into her van and joined a growing nomadic tribe of largely older Americans who, finding themselves adrift from the American economy, have taken to the road and move from place to place seeking seasonal work for generally low wages. Despite the hardships of living off the grid — from mechanical problems with her van to health issues — Swankie, a loner by nature, found the freedom of the nomadic lifestyle suited her.
So when director Chloe Zhao approached her in 2018 about playing herself in a movie she was making called “Nomadland,” Swankie was deeply skeptical. “I had been on the road living in the boonies for over 10 years,” Swankie says, “and movies were not high on my list.” She told Zhao the only thing she could focus on at the moment was the shoulder replacement surgery she desperately needed. Anyway, she’d never heard of the actor who was set to star in the movie, Frances McDormand, and figured it would be “some little camcorder-type homemade film.”
Three years later, Swankie, along with two other real-life nomads — Bob Wells and Linda May — find themselves the unlikely stars of one of the year’s most acclaimed films. “Nomadland,” playing in select theaters and streaming on Hulu, earned four Golden Globe nominations and is considered a leading
Oscar contender. While Oscar winner McDormand has drawn raves for her performance as a fictional woman named Fern who is drawn to the road in search of work, the real-life nomads have been credited with lending the film much of its emotional punch and feeling of authenticity.
No one felt that more than McDormand, who optioned journalist Jessica Bruder’s 2017 nonfiction book, “Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century,” and produced the film.
“Linda May and Swankie and Bob were already kind of the iconic figures in my mind before I actually met them,” McDormand says. “I think what I was most intimidated by and impressed with was the commitment that people like them made to the life they live, and the joy that they find in gathering together and sharing their
experiences and how much they enjoy being on their own . ... I think Swankie was just under the impression that I was another woman on the road. She was really mentoring me in a certain way.”
Zhao, whose “Songs My Brother Taught Me” and “The Rider” also earned praise for the use of nonprofessional actors, was drawn to the project by her fascination with the nomadic community.
“Making my first two films, I definitely lived a quite nomadic lifestyle, a lot of times out of my car,” Zhao says. “When I read Jessica’s book, I was so impressed by her research and her sensitivity to these really interesting characters. I just loved the world, and I wanted to enter into it.”
Linda May, who befriends the lonely, widowed Fern in the film and shows her the ropes
of “workamping,” has seen the nomadic community expand dramatically since she first found herself living on the road as a grandmother in her 10-foot trailer.
“The first Rubber Tramp Rendezvous I went to was about 250 people,” she says of the regular gathering of nomads held in Quartzsite, Arizona. “The last one I went to, there were over 5,000 people. There’s always been a community of every walk of life. We have business executives, people with Ph.D.s, scientists and artists and photographers and writers. We have quite an eclectic group that come together and bond, and we have each other’s back.”
Wells has become a leader within the nomadic community, with a popular YouTube channel called CheapRVliving and a nonprofit organization called Home on Wheels
Alliance to help newcomers to the road survive and thrive. With a younger cohort of millennials now adopting what has been dubbed the #vanlife, Wells says the nomadic movement is rapidly becoming mainstream, driven by climate change and continued economic dislocation, as well as a uniquely American frontier spirit.
“Our world is changing so rapidly, and I think nomadic living is going to be part of that transformation,” Wells says.
In weaving the reallife nomads into the film as characters alongside fictional ones played by actors McDormand and David Strathairn, Zhao adopted a loose, intimate directing style, allowing the dialogue to flow organically. Her unobtrusive approach allowed the nonactors to avoid becoming overly self-conscious, even when sharing vulnerable moments, as when Wells speaks of the death of his son.
But Zhao did take a few liberties. In the film, Swankie has cancer, an invented plot device. “I myself have never had cancer,” Swankie says. “However, my ex-husband died of brain cancer, so that made me emotional during filming. My character is 99% me. I am fiercely independent and seldom ever ask others to help me, so it was exceedingly difficult to act like I needed Fern’s help. That 1% was acting.”
McDormand poured a lot of herself into the character of Fern, who is forced onto the road following the death of her husband and the economic collapse of the town they called home.
“I was 60 at the time we made it, and one of the most gratifying things for me about the film is the way Chloe has captured the beauty and the depths in the road map of people’s lives that are on their faces,” she says.
Two years ago, May decided to put down roots in Taos, New Mexico, while she was still healthy enough to build a home where she could spend her remaining days.
Wells and Swankie are still out there on the road, with no plans to ever return to their formerly more tethered life.
“Like me, there are many others who have purposely chosen this lifestyle: downsizing, owning nothing but what they have with them and leaving an exceedingly small carbon footprint,” says Swankie. “That does not mean we are suffering, going without, staying dirty, eating badly. For me, I am healthier now at 78 than I was at 40. I am 60-plus pounds lighter, totally off all medications, and have never been happier or financially more secure . ... I am just a lone ol’ granny desert rat, loving my life every day.”
Aries (March 21-April 19):
You may feel good about the work week ahead because you are excited about collaborating with some intelligent people. Sometimes the best outcome of working with people you respect is their inspiration and the feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself.
Taurus (April 20-May 20):
You will thrive by spending the day relaxing and reading a good book, watching an educational show or texting powerful quotes to your friends. If you find yourself going down a rabbit hole of knowledge that interests you, consider signing up for a class.
Gemini (May 21-June 20):
You’re always connected to a ton of people and may spend a good bit of each day on your phone and social media keeping up with everyone. Today, however, quality is more important than quantity. This is a great day to call up one of your besties. You’ll leave feeling rejuvenated.
Cancer (June 21-July 22):
You always have your family on your mind. However, it can be overwhelming to take on the concerns of the group, and you may often overlook individuals who are close to you. Today, pay attention to whoever looks out for you while you are looking out for everyone else.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22):
You’ll awake feeling pretty good this morning. Begin with a grounding activity like exercise or stretching to bring awareness to your body after a long night of dreaming. From there, embrace your inner child and choose whatever activities make you feel good.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
Although you feel at ease when your mind is busy, your mental processes need a break occasionally to perform at their best. Use your time to do something enjoyable. If you have a lot of chores on your agenda, put a little fun in them by collaborating with a friend to knock them out.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
This is a great day to spend time with loved ones. Everyone will be in a good mood and enjoy being around each other. Even if you can’t host a gathering for extended family and friends, think about throwing a little “just because” party for the people you live with. Focus on how far you’ve come together.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Diving deep into a new skill or hobby is a great way to engage your intense focus. Today, create a list of action steps that will get you to this goal. How much would it cost and how much time do you have to dedicate toward this new venture? Answering these questions will help you decide what to do.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
You value experiences that leave you educated and connected to friends and family. Lately, though, you may have been thinking about tightening up your finances. Making a budget for entertainment or travel will allow you to have some fun while still planning for your future.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
Talking about your accomplishments is part of the fun of setting goals for you. Not everyone gets where your drive comes from or why you push yourself so hard. They’ll applaud your efforts while reminding you to keep a healthy life balance.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Today, you may just feel like being alone and geeking out on the hobbies that bring you joy. People will still be reaching out for your attention, but don’t feel bad if you choose to turn off your phone or work behind closed doors. Let your loved ones know you need some time to yourself.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20):
Your phone may be ringing off the hook today, and you could find yourself having back-to-back catch-up sessions with friends. Despite any good feelings, pay attention to your mood. It will be so easy to get swept up that you don’t realize you’re overwhelmed until you reach a breaking point.