CORONAVIRUS of course had an impact on this year’s socially distanced Venice Film Festival but that didn’t prevent some outstanding talent getting due recognition with top prize, the Golden Lion, going to Chloe Zhao for her compassionate and deeply moving Nomadland. She was only the sixth woman to take Venice’s top prize in its 77 years.

Nomadland is the story of a woman who travels across America in a van after losing her husband, her job and her home. The film was inspired by Jessica Bruder’s book and the life of the radical anti-capitalist activist Bob Wells, who appears as himself and delivers an extraordinarily moving speech at the end of the film.

Starring Frances McDormand, it’s a film combining a profound emotional impact with innovative form as it pays homage to all those suffering from social inequality.