Oscars set to air in railway station as Chinese-American filmmaker’s Nomadland tipped to win big

This year’s awards will be more subdued, with organisers promising only a ‘teeny-tiny red carpet’ amid the coronavirus

The guest list is strictly limited, with even studio execs forced to watch on television, and most of the Hollywood press corps will be absent

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Chinese-American director Chloe Zhao. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:02am, 25 Apr 2021Updated: 11:02am, 25 Apr 2021

It is guaranteed to be an Oscars like no other: broadcast live from a railway station, honouring films few saw in cinemas, and reuniting Hollywood’s A-listers for the first time in more than a year due to Covid-19.

China-born director Chloe Zhao, whose drama Nomadland about transient Americans roaming the West in vans, is tipped to win best picture and in the running for five more Oscars.

She is among the nominees set to emerge from long isolation on Sunday to take part in Tinseltown’s biggest night.

“We want to see our friends! We have a lot of friends nominated this year, and we’re really excited to see them,” Zhao said of the 93rd Academy Awards.

But while the nominees enjoy a much-needed catch-up, the usual high-wattage glamour of the stars parading in couture gowns and jewels will be more subdued, with organisers promising only a “teeny-tiny red carpet”.

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