October 31st 2024.
Anora is making waves as a top contender for the 2025 Oscars. It's no small feat for any filmmaker to take on the challenge of bringing a piece of the past to life on the big screen. Especially in a time where the film industry is evolving at a rapid pace, it can feel almost insurmountable. But director Sean Baker had a clear vision in mind when he set out to create his latest masterpiece, Anora, which has been receiving critical acclaim since its release in 2024. The film even took home the prestigious Palme D'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Baker's goal? To reintroduce something that has been missing from modern-day cinema.
In an interview with Metro, Baker revealed that his inspiration for Anora came from films of the 80s that were targeted towards adults. He noticed a lack of these types of dramas and dramedies in today's film landscape and wanted to bring them back to the forefront. "That was part of the goal with this movie, to bring something like that back to the cinema," he shared while on the intense press tour for the film at the London Film Festival, alongside leading lady Mikey Madison.
Anora follows the story of a free-spirited stripper and sex worker in Brooklyn who spontaneously marries the son of a Russian oligarch for a chance at a fairytale escape from her current life. And as expected, the film is already generating major Oscar buzz. But Anora is not your typical dramedy. Baker's unique style combines elements of drama, thriller, slapstick comedy, coming of age, rom-com, and even a bit of a road movie. Plus, his focus on characters living on the fringes of society, portrayed in an authentic and relatable way, sets his films apart from the mainstream superhero-driven blockbusters.
Baker has a talent for casting raw and untested actors, sometimes even using non-professionals. However, with Anora, he has truly showcased his knack for discovering new talent, with Mikey Madison leading a dynamic international cast that is relatively unknown to mainstream audiences. Although Baker has been a prominent name in the indie film scene since his breakthrough with the 2015 film Tangerine, shot entirely on iPhones, and gained even more recognition for 2017's The Florida Project, which landed star Willem Dafoe an Oscar nomination, Anora has taken his career to new heights.
The buzz surrounding Anora has been unlike anything Baker has experienced before, with glowing reviews pouring in since its premiere at Cannes and plastered all over social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Letterboxd. "It's funny that Mikey's first film festival experience was Cannes, where we ended up winning the Palme D'Or - it's kind of insane," Baker laughs, reflecting on the surreal journey they've been on since the film's release. "I've started at the bottom with Z-level film festivals and worked my way up over the years!"
Madison, who plays the lead character in Anora, is no stranger to high-profile projects, with roles in 2022's Scream and Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood. However, Anora has propelled her into the spotlight like never before. "To be fair, please scroll to the bottom of my IMDb - there have been some interesting things," she playfully responds to Baker's remark.
Winning the Palme D'Or was a dream come true for Baker, but it was not something he had anticipated. "I never thought it would happen with this film because it's rare for an overt comedy to win at Cannes. And not only did we win the Palme D'Or, but it was presented by George Lucas? That was just the cherry on top," he gushes.
Anora has been compared to the 90s romantic comedy Pretty Woman, but with a more realistic and nuanced depiction of sex work that resonates with modern audiences. However, this was not something that was at the forefront of Baker's mind while filming. "I love that film, and it's iconic and impactful, but it wasn't something I was consciously thinking about while making Anora," Madison shares. Baker also cites other films like Coming to America and those of Jonathan Demme as sources of inspiration. Like Coming to America, Anora explores New York City through the lens of immigrant communities, with Anora hailing from the Russian-American neighborhood of Brighton Beach. And like Demme, Baker treats his audience as adults, presenting a mature and multifaceted story.
With the success of Anora and the high expectations for the awards season, Baker admits that he tries not to think too much about the "ideal" or "proper" follow-up project. He focuses on creating the best film he can without being constrained by worries about breaking outside of his comfort zone. Sex work has been a recurring theme in Baker's films, but he is not interested in perpetuating any shame or stereotypes surrounding it. He simply wants to tell authentic and compelling stories that resonate with audiences.
It's no secret that Anora is quickly becoming a top contender for the 2025 Oscars. The task of bringing something from the past to the big screen is a daunting one for any filmmaker, especially in a constantly evolving industry like cinema.
But for Sean Baker, the director behind the highly acclaimed Anora, it was a challenge he was determined to take on. As the winner of this year's Palme D'Or, one of the most prestigious awards in film, Baker had a clear intention with his latest project – to reintroduce something that has been missing from modern-day cinema.
In a recent interview with Metro, Baker explained that his inspiration for Anora came from the lack of adult dramas and dramadies in today's film landscape. He wanted to bring back the type of films he grew up watching in the 80s – ones that were vibrant, unpredictable, and focused on the lives of everyday people.
Anora follows the story of a free-spirited stripper and sex worker from Brooklyn who impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch in search of a fairytale escape. And with its all-star international cast and gripping storyline, it's no surprise that the film is already generating major Oscar buzz.
Baker's unique style of storytelling, which combines elements of drama, thriller, comedy, and even a bit of a road movie, sets him apart from other filmmakers. He has a knack for casting raw, undiscovered talent, and Anora is no exception. The film's leading lady, Mikey Madison, has been praised for her commanding performance, alongside a talented cast largely unknown to mainstream audiences.
While Baker has been a prominent name in the indie circuit since his breakthrough film Tangerine, it's Anora that has truly put him on the map. With its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and subsequent glowing reviews, the film has gained attention from even the most discerning film critics on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Letterboxd.
Both Baker and Madison are still in disbelief over their success, with Anora being Madison's first film festival experience and Baker's first time winning the Palme D'Or. But they both agree that it's been an incredible journey.
As for the film itself, Baker never imagined it would receive such high praise, especially for its overtly comedic tone. But winning the Palme D'Or, presented by none other than George Lucas, was a dream come true for the director.
Despite the comparisons to 90s rom-com Pretty Woman, Anora offers a more realistic and nuanced portrayal of sex work, which better aligns with a modern audience. Madison, who plays the titular character, acknowledges the influence of the iconic film but also credits other works like Coming to America and films by Jonathan Demme as sources of inspiration.
Anora also offers a unique perspective on New York City, seen through the eyes of an immigrant from the Russian-American community in Brighton Beach. And like Demme, Baker treats his audience as adults, with a mature and thought-provoking story.
Although Baker is aware of the expectations and pressure that comes with releasing a critically acclaimed film, he remains focused on creating the best possible work without worrying about sticking to one topic or genre. While sex work has been a prominent theme in his films, Baker has no interest in perpetuating any shame or stigma around the profession. He simply wants to tell authentic and compelling stories that resonate with audiences.
As for what's next, Baker is not concerned about following up Anora with a film that breaks outside of his usual style. He is simply focused on making the best film he can, without worrying about any preconceived notions or expectations. And with the success of Anora, it's safe to say that audiences will eagerly anticipate his next project.
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