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Oscars 2021: 'Nomadland' is Best Picture, fans ask is Frances McDormand 'Fern or Fran' after Chloé Zhao's gaffe

'With Nomadland’s Best Picture win, producer Frances McDormand becomes the first person in Oscar history to have multiple acting wins and a producing win,' one fan said

After a two-month postponement, the 93rd Academy Awards kicked off with much fanfare on Sunday, April 25, at 6.30 pm ET, with no hosts for tonight's ceremony amid Covid-19 restrictions. With the most diverse nominations to date and an in-person ceremony that will not allow candidates to use Zoom, the Oscars ceremony is expected to be historic.

The ceremony, which was conducted without a host, took place at Union Station in Los Angeles and at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, where the show is usually held. All eyes were on the Best Picture category and the winner was 'Nomadland', with producers Frances McDormand, Peter Spears, Mollye Asher, Dan Janvey and Chloé Zhao. The other nominations for the category included 'The Father', 'Judas and the Black Messiah', 'Minari', 'Mank', 'Trial of the Chicago 7', 'Sound of Metal' and 'Promising Young Woman'.

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“Please watch our movie on the largest screen possible, and one day very very soon take every one you know into a theater, shoulder to shoulder, in that dark space and watch every film represented here tonight," said Frances McDormand in her speech. The award is a second Oscar win for Chloé Zhao, who also won Best Director for 'Nomadland', a drama about itinerant workers in the American West.

Fans took to Twitter to share their love. "I love this film and I love Chloe. An amazing and magical filmmaker and person who made an amazing and magical film," said actor Kumail Nanjiani. "nomadland won. i feel peace. now it’s time for chaos," said a Twitter user. "Nomadland, written and directed by Chloe Zhao, wins Best Picture. We live in extraordinary times. #Oscars," said another. "With Nomadland’s Best Picture win, producer Frances McDormand becomes the first person in Oscar history to have multiple acting wins and a producing win," another quipped.

'Promising Young Woman' was 'best'

Others couldn't help thinking about a particular clip from 'Promising Young Woman' which was showed during the announcement of the nominations. "Yes NOMADLAND won Best Picture but I can't stop thinking about them playing the spit scene from PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN," said a Twitter user. "NOMADLAND is such a great Best Picture winner. Rarely does such a quiet, contemplative, beautiful film win Best Picture," said another.

"NOMADLAND is a fascinating journey of self-discovery. I admire how Zhao transports us into Fern’s world w/ease & plenty of discomfort. It’s definitely the most beautifully shot film of the Best Picture noms. Although, my “Best” vote still goes to Promising Young Woman," said another.

'Is she Fern or Fran?'

Others noted Zhao's slip of tongue calling McDormand 'Fern' instead of 'Fran'. "Frances McDormand -so insulting to Chloe Zhao,correcting her 4using character name Fern-as if Chloe doesn’t know her real name is Fran. Boo Fran. I like Fern better. RT @CBSNews : Nomadland wins Best Picture/Academy Awards #oscars," said a Twitter user. McDormand plays a character called Fern in the movie.

Others wondered why the order of the awards was changed since Best Picture always comes last. "Does anyone find it conspicuous that Best Picture and Director, categories in which Nomadland and Chloe Zhao were the favorites to win, were moved out of their usual order from the end of the telecast? #Oscars," said a Twitter user. One said, "I watched it and left with a sad heart. The resilience in Fern the lead character and those she encountered on her journey was "cry me a river." I would never want to live that way. I thank GOD I do not have to. The best actress was indeed deserving. Is she Fern or Fran?"