Nomadland

[herbalhippie]

Anyone read the book? The movie starts today in theaters and on Hulu. I finished reading the book yesterday for the second time in the two weeks since I got it and I'm about to settle in with a cup of tea and a strawberry peach scone from the bakery that's luckily attached to my son's workplace and watch it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sxCFZ8_d84


https://www.amazon.com/Nomadland-Surviv ... 039324931X


https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/19/book ... ruder.html

[Greyfeather]

Nomadland looks really amazing, HH. Thanks for posting the link. The piano music in the background is just exquisite. If we had as many films and tv shows about women (at all ages) that we have about men, this would be a better world

[herbalhippie]

The music is beautiful and I fell in love with the piece toward the last part of the movie trailer. Yesterday I went looking through the soundtrack clips on Youtube and couldn't find it. Then I watched the movie today (and cried through a good half of it) and that particular piece was not in the movie either. Then I found this and went on the hunt.

https://www.classical-music.com/feature ... oundtrack/

It was narrowed down to two albums and another one of seven albums released as a collection. I spent a couple hours listening to everything until I found it in the first one of the seven.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1JV0xIjskA

I linked it to my middle daughter and explained how I'd spent the afternoon looking for it. She told me to download an app called Shazam that I could hold up and tap and it would tell me what music was playing. So I downloaded it and let it listen to the music in the trailer and even as obscure as it is, it told me immediately the song and the artist. I am still blown away!

Yes, women were highlighted in the movie. It's a bit different from the book in that the character played by Francis McDormond (Fern) wasn't in the book at all, is not a real vandweller. But there are two women in the movie who are (were) vandwellers in real life and their lives are told in the book. Also figuring prominently in the movie is Bob Wells who has been teaching people how to transition to living in their vehicles for years.

https://www.youtube.com/c/CheapRVliving/videos

I actually picked up a Grand Caravan in November when my car self-destructed and had made plans to rip out the back seats, set her up for camping and go on some road trips this year. Sleep, cook/eat, potty and wash, all self-contained. Then I got Covid and was hit with that horrible fatigue. I was starting to wonder if I'd be able to go through with my plans but I'm feeling better now. I haven't been able to travel for years and not by myself for even more years. I am beyond ready. But I will have a home to come back to. The majority of vandwellers don't, either by choice or by circumstance.

I hate to be so pessimistic, but it's not looking good financially for a lot of people my age.

[DittonW]

The music is beautiful and I fell in love with the piece toward the last part of the movie trailer. Yesterday I went looking through the soundtrack clips on Youtube and couldn't find it. Then I watched the movie today (and cried through a good half of it) and that particular piece was not in the movie either. Then I found this and went on the hunt.

https://www.classical-music.com/feature ... oundtrack/


I hate to be so pessimistic, but it's not looking good financially for a lot of people my age.

Reminded me of the opening ten minutes of Werckmeister Harmonies, where the drunks in the bar act out an eclipse , the music comes in at about minute 6 when the sun comes out again. It's a really beautiful opening scene and I really like the Víg Mihály soundtrack . More somber - and more androcentric, then your link, but still very moving I think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d5X2t_s9g8

[herbalhippie]

Yes, it is very similar. A little less potential for joy though. Thanks for posting it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRl3VQQ0GUA

[BallzDeep9]

Very interesting Hippie! Might have to read this book... And watch the movie.

Frances McDormand won Best Actress a couple years ago! I remember her from "Fargo."

Of course "travel" always sounds like fun but... in 2021 ?? Times have changed... years ago, you could find a small clean Motel, or a safe Campground to stay in. Now? Think crowds of homeless crazy people ONLY in big cities, guess again... America is full of insane, dangerous, low-life's pretty much everywhere. Park your rig overnight in a parking lot somewhere? Expect to get beaten and robbed, or maybe your whole Trailer gets stolen. Sad experiences, from friends and relatives.

Heck the stories about Nevada, alone... Back in the 80's you could Live in Las Vegas for very cheap, I did many weeks at the MGM Grand in December (Xmas time in Vegas!), they had weekly Apartments, motels, suites, campgrounds. Now ?? You don't dare stay anywhere around Vegas/ Reno. Sheer # of crack heads and criminals running loose!! People living in storm drains... like the horror movie "Hills Have Eyes"

Withough pre-judging anything I always read a few reviews on Amazon. Almost 1200. Here's one:

"Depressingly Informative" is how I would describe this book. The idea that any one of us reading this may end up with no workable income, no medical insurance, no ability to make mortgage payments or to pay off the bills already accrued is devastating. Being in the age group represented at a time when supposedly guaranteed "fixed" income, from social security and pensions is becoming targeted by the cut-the-taxes-to-the-rich people is really scary.

[herbalhippie]

It's an excellent book, I think you'd enjoy it.

Travel for travel's sake is not the best idea right now. I wouldn't do it if my only options were hotels. Self contained in a vehicle is the best way to travel at this time. Quick trip to a store for supplies occasionally, I do that anyway.

Many vandwellers follow the seasons; north in the spring and summer and head south for the winter. I've seen a few of them post on Reddit that they are staying in one place during the pandemic.

Safety is a big thing, especially for females. You have to have plans for any possibility. Park your van facing out if you're in a parking spot to make it easier to leave in a hurry. Be prepared to defend yourself however you can. Keep your doors locked. Scout out where you're parking. There are apps to find parking/camping spots. Ask advice on the Reddit subs. Bob Wells of Cheap RV Living has at least a couple videos on safety.

[herbalhippie]

Here's an article with Bob Wells. There are some VERY thought-provoking things discussed in here.

https://www.gq.com/story/nomadland-bob-wells-interview

[e_poison]

Get a CCW and a big dog.

I haven't seen this movie yet, cancelled my Hulu because I found out it's owned by Disney and I really, really loathe Disney.

If it comes to Netflix or HBOmax, I'd watch it!

[Greyfeather]

Here's an article with Bob Wells. There are some VERY thought-provoking things discussed in here.

https://www.gq.com/story/nomadland-bob-wells-interview

Looking forward to this read. Thanks!

I'm into the film now but have paused for a while. I have reached the place where our protagonist is getting to know the folks of van-culture and I'm feeling a little triggered. I guess I'm worried that things will get a bit "cultish"? Hope not.

[herbalhippie]

Haha no, no cults.

[herbalhippie]

Get a CCW and a big dog.

CCP, yes. Big dog, no. There's not room for both.

[e_poison]

Get a CCW and a big dog.

CCP, yes. Big dog, no. There's not room for both.

There's always room for a good doggo!

[herbalhippie]

I got the window blackout situation figured out and my bed set up in the back and I'm going to go out there in a while here and read myself to sleep. Try napping in her for a couple days and see if that 4" memory foam mattress is going to be comfortable. If not, I can add 2- 1 1/2" toppers I picked up for cheap. Next weekend I'll spend the nights out there, it should be in the 40s at night by then. Then the weekend after that I'm going to head up to a campsite on a river about an hour away. See if I can handle it.

[DittonW]

I liked this movie way more than I thought I would, which is only the product of my own prejudicial suspicion that it would be the kind of Oscar-bait movie that John Frakensteiner described in his review of it here as perfect "for rich assholes who hand out awards, who love to be told, 'Actually these poor people are happy in their minimalism. Hell, they might even be happier than you, with all your complicated possessions!' As they hand off the award to the daughter of a millionaire." I don't think that's what this movie is, but it's not NOT that either, for reasons that I don't think can be entirely blamed on the filmmakers.

There's something affected about Chloe Zhao's social realism and the way it leans incredibly hard on panoramic magic hour views of the stunning American Western landscape. It's incredibly effective at humanizing the lives of those in economic precarity, but does so at the expense of articulating, or some might say eliding, the social problems that lead them to lives of itinerant poverty in which the possibly of suicide haunts every frame and action. The focus on much of the writing around the movie about it's portrayal of Amazon's Dickensian fulfillment centers, which is a little beside the point as it's a tiny part of the film and I don't think it's the duty of Chloe Zhao or the story she's telling here to be the Upton Sinclair of the gig economy. I don't like this demand that all art has to portray the systemic rather than the personal, but at the same time would Amazon's corporate logo or actual property ever have been allowed to be anywhere near this film if it was portrayed in even a semi-negative light?

Thankfully, I found its ambiguous and melancholy ending didn't end up making the case that "actually, becoming a tramp, loosed from all social and economic bonds, is nice, and a way to really find yourself." It's an Oscar-bait tear jerker, and the kind I usually hate because of intimations about "the way we live now", but also a good, artistically credible film that did indeed jerk those tears out me.

Finally, Frances McDormand best actress for this one is richly deserved. She's one of the finest actors of our lifetimes, and she gives an incredible performance here, truly in another class. Frances is God Tier and that's not debatable. Also, always a true joy to see David Strathairn, who probably should have gotten a supporting actor nom for this one.

[herbalhippie]

The Anti-consumption Weirdos of Nomadland

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archi ... sm/618822/

[herbalhippie]

debatable.

Aw I really enjoyed what you had written!!

[BallzDeep9]

The Anti-consumption Weirdos of Nomadland -- https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archi ... sm/618822/

Really strange thing just happened. BEFORE I clicked your Link, I was thinking hmm, OK I haven't watched the full Nomadland yet, and maybe cuz' I have limited movie time & was busy watching - Bourne Identity last week... I Swear that was my thought.

Then I clicked, here's the 1st Paragraph: Do you have the stones to watch this plotless, dreary semi-documentary about elderly people forced to live in vans—and, yes, perform unspeakable bodily functions within them—and search for seasonal work? Or are you going to be a little baby and watch The Bourne Identity for the kabillionth time?

HOW weird is that? I do feel tuned-in to Nomadland, kind of scared to watch it, having lived in my Van many years ago.

[herbalhippie]

Well obviously it's meant to be, Ballz! I think you can get it on DVD now if you don't want to watch it on Hulu. I'm going to buy it and add it to my collection of DVDs I think it will bring me up to seven.

[MycatTimmy]

As someone who recently faced homelessness and permanent physical disability this movie scared the shit out of me. I’m almost sorry I watched it.

[herbalhippie]

As someone who recently faced homelessness and permanent physical disability this movie scared the shit out of me. I’m almost sorry I watched it.

I'm sorry to hear that :'(

The CheapRVLiving website and Youtube are made to help people facing homelessness. Through the Homes on Wheels Alliance you can apply for a minivan, they build them out to live in and give them to people in dire need.

[MycatTimmy]

As someone who recently faced homelessness and permanent physical disability this movie scared the shit out of me. I’m almost sorry I watched it.

I'm sorry to hear that :'(

The CheapRVLiving website and Youtube are made to help people facing homelessness. Through the Homes on Wheels Alliance you can apply for a minivan, they build them out to live in and give them to people in dire need.

Good to know, thanks.
Pride kept me from reaching out and telling family just how bad things had gotten. But eventually circumstances forced me to. Once I did I had all the help I needed. My circumstances are much more stable now that I’m on permanent disability and am set up in government housing. Or is that an oxymoron; stable and government ?