This year, Zhao earned multiple Academy Awards for her film “Nomadland,” which earned six Oscars, including for Best Picture and Best Director. She was the first woman of color to earn the latter. Zhao was selected for the Ford campaign for the “human-centric” approach she brings to storytelling, which the brand noted allowed her to bring out the performances from the spot’s cast, consisting largely of non-actors.
Ford also noted that Zhao also has a personal connection to the brand. She often travels in and works from a camper van she built out of a Ford Transit, and the protagonists in her films are often seen driving Ford vehicles.
The spot debuted during the opening ceremony of the Olympics.
