'They cut the VPN': Shanghai Oscars party for 'Nomadland' director hits snag

Shanghai: A livestream of the Academy Awards in Shanghai hosted by alumni of Oscar-winner Chloe Zhao's alma mater ran into China's Great Firewall, with the organiser saying access to his virtual private network (VPN) service was blocked for nearly two hours.

Beijing-born Zhao, whose critical 2013 comment on China resurfaced after her nomination, sparking backlash in the country, was named best director for "Nomadland" on Monday, making her the first Asian woman to win the category in the award's 93-year history. The Recession-era tale about a community of van dwellers in America also won Oscars for best picture and best actress, for Frances McDormand.