Sean Baker’s latest film, “Anora,” excites the human spirit with a sincere showing of love and loss.
Sean Baker is an American director who is renowned for his mature depiction of sex workers, marginalized communities, relationships, and social realism.
Three years after his last film, “Red Rocket,” comes the release of “Anora.” Distributed by NEON, the film has a budget of only six million dollars. Thankfully, every penny feels well spent.
Named after its protagonist, “Anora” follows a stripper living in Brooklyn named Ani (Mikey Madison). After meeting the rich, yet childish son of a Russian businessman, Ivan Zakharov (Mark Eydelshteyn), Ani is paid by Ivan to masquerade as his girlfriend for a week. After a week of partying, the two get married so Ivan can remain in America, instead of flying back to Russia to work at his father’s company. This creates conflict with Ivan’s family as they see Ani unfit to marry Ivan.
As with all Sean Baker films, this movie exudes authenticity.
Baker gained notoriety after the release of his 2015 film, “Tangerine.” Filmed entirely on an iPhone 5S, with a budget of $100,000, the movie follows a transgender sex worker. The protagonist and supporting character are both played by transgender actresses who have little acting experience. This approach allowed for an authentic and mature take on topics like sex work and gender identity.
While distribution rights for “Anora” were acquired in October 2023, it didn’t see a North American release until this October. Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in May, the film won its highest award, the Palme d’Or.
The acting in the film is phenomenal. Mikey Madison’s performance as Ani deserves an Oscar nomination. Madison completely embodies the role and then pushes it to another level. She’s sincere, vulnerable, flawed and beautiful. Madison perfectly personifies these qualities.
The film’s characters are all distinct, with their own motives and flaws.
Outwardly living the carefree style of hedonism, Ivan is deeply troubled, unable to accept any responsibility, no matter who it hurts. Mark Eydelshteyn’s mannerisms bring Ivan’s character to life.
Halfway through the film, three cohorts from Ivan’s family interrupt Ivan and Ani’s day by forcing them to get divorced. Almost as if it’s a “three stooges” bit, the men stumble around while getting attacked by Ani. Inexperienced, the men come off as goons. As the film progresses, the viewer gains a deeper understanding of their motivations and personality, evolving two-dimensional characters into people with their own lives.
What feels like a film with so much charm, atmosphere and glamor is actually about the sad and uncompromising human experience once its layers are peeled back.
Much of the nudity and sex in the film appears gratuitous at first glance. Given that Baker wants to explore different levels of what it means to be human, it becomes clear that life isn’t always as pristine as it may appear in other films.
“Anora” will stick with the viewer for a long time. The film and every individual element that makes up the film coalesce into what can only be described as an authentic vision of the flawed, yet endearing process of life.
“Anora” was released nationwide on Nov.1.