Sean Baker’s ‘Anora’ stands as a hilarious yet gripping portrait of sex work
American filmmaker Sean Baker is known for directing emotionally gripping films like "Tangerine" and "The Florida Project," which portray marginalized communities and sex workers in ways not typically seen on the silver screen. This year's "Anora" is a hilarious yet poignant addition to his filmography.
"Anora" premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in France on May 21, 2024, where it won the most coveted prize in the film industry: the Palme d'Or. NEON picked up the film for distribution. The film marks the fifth straight NEON film to win the award — nearly all of which have gone on to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. The film also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival.
The film features and consists a cast of Mark Eydelshteyn as Ivan "Vanya" Zakharov, Yura Borisov as Igor, Karren Karagulian as Toros and breakout star Mikey Madison in her role as the titular Anora "Ani" Mikheeva. Madison's performance in the film is nothing short of captivating and could potentially make her a front-runner for a Best Actress nomination at next year's Oscars.
Filmed over the course of just over a month, "Anora" follows the titular character, a sex worker from Brooklyn, who gets the life-changing chance to marry the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch. Their relationship plays out over the course of a few weeks as Vanya's parents come to learn about the marriage and move quickly to get it annulled.
Shot by radio-television-film alumus Drew Daniels, the film's cinematography employs a beautiful range of colors, making it visually rich and interesting. The cinematography shines particularly in the dimly lit strip club scenes, where Baker avoids bright lights and creates a mystifying and alluring atmosphere.
Fans of Baker's previous work will appreciate the attention to detail he pays to the complicated dynamics of the lives of people who engage in sex work and will appreciate some of the film's more lighthearted moments, like the scenes that portray a sense of camaraderie and closeness between the women who work at the club.
Although the film is worthy of praise for its mesmerizing story and cinematography, "Anora" really stands out with its comedic timing delivered through inventive editing techniques and performances by supporting actors Eydelshteyn, Borisov and Karagulian. Specifically, during the search for Vanya, the film sees the relationship between Madison and Borisov's characters slowly but surely bloom.
Overall, the film is a well-executed addition to Sean Baker's arsenal of emotionally gripping, masterfully told stories about sex work and people who live on society's margins. With a standout performance by Madison, "Anora" uses the kind of storytelling and strong-willed characters that are sure to attract a cult following.
