Frances McDormand Explores a Nomadic Lifestyle in Behind-the-Scenes Look at Nomadland

Francis McDormand Adopts a New Way of Life in Behind the Scenes Look at Nomadland

Francis McDormand plays a woman who embarks on a journey through the American West after losing everything during the recession

Frances McDormand is delving into a new, rarely seen lifestyle in her upcoming drama Nomadland, which recently won Best Feature Film at the 2021 Gotham Awards.

In a behind-the-scenes look at the movie, exclusive to PEOPLE, the Oscar-winning actress plays Fern, a woman who lives a nomadic lifestyle while traveling through the American West after losing her husband and her happy life in a mining town that dissolves after the recession.

Directed by Chloé Zhao (Songs My Brothers Taught Me and the upcoming Marvel film The Eternals), McDormand was able to bring her own personality into the movie.

"In collaborating with Chloe about the character of Fern we talked a lot about how we were going to bring things from my life, Fran's life into Fern's life," McDormand says in the clip.

RELATED: The Man Who Allegedly Stole Frances McDormand's Oscar Sees His Felony Charges Dropped

Courtesy Searchlight Pictures

The film introduces audiences to actual people living a nomadic lifestyle, including Swankie, who says the film is "about those of us living on the road full time and trying to find a way to survive."

Linda May, who is also living on the road, says, "These are people that have chosen another way to live that most of society wouldn't understand."

The film is based on the non-fiction book, Nomadland: Surviving America in the 21st Century, by Jessica Bruder.

Nomadland will simultaneously debut in select theaters, drive-in venues and Hulu on Feb. 19.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.