Oscars 2025 : Anora wins big with Academy Award for Best Picture

At the 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, "Anora," a screwball comedy-drama directed by Sean Baker, emerged as the night's biggest winner, securing five major awards:

• Best Picture: Producers Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, and Sean Baker were honored for their work on "Anora."

• Best Director: Sean Baker received this accolade, marking a significant achievement in his career.

• Best Actress: Mikey Madison was recognized for her portrayal of Anora Mikheeva, a Brooklyn exotic dancer who becomes entangled with the son of a Russian oligarch.

• Best Original Screenplay: Sean Baker was awarded for his original script, which blends humor with social commentary.

• Best Editing: The film's editing was also honored, contributing to its overall success.

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"Anora," directed by Sean Baker, is a 2024 American drama that follows the journey of a stripper navigating life between New York and Las Vegas. The film premiered on May 21, 2024, at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where it was awarded the Palme d'Or. It was subsequently released in theaters on October 18, 2024, and received critical acclaim, being listed among the top 10 films of 2024 by both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute.

Sean Baker drew inspiration for "Anora" from a friend's story about a Russian-American newlywed who was kidnapped for collateral. Additionally, his experience editing wedding videos for Russian-American couples in New York during 2000 and 2001 influenced the narrative. Baker aimed to tell universal human stories and sought to remove the stigma associated with sex work. To ensure authenticity, he collaborated with Andrea Werhun, a Canadian writer and actress known for her memoir "Modern Whore," who served as a creative consultant on the film.

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Casting and Preparation

Mikey Madison was cast in the titular role after Baker saw her performances in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" (2019) and "Scream" (2022). Impressed by her work, Baker offered her the role without an audition. To prepare, Madison immersed herself in the character by learning Russian, visiting strip clubs, and studying the Brooklyn accent. There was some confusion regarding the character's ethnicity, with reports mistakenly identifying Anora as Uzbek-American; however, Baker clarified that she is of Russian ethnicity from one of the post-Soviet countries.

Principal photography commenced in February 2023 in Brooklyn, capturing neighborhoods such as Brighton Beach, Coney Island, and Sheepshead Bay. The production spanned 37 days, with a notable 25-minute home invasion scene taking 10 days to film. The film was shot on Kodak 35 mm film using an Arricam LT, with color correction completed via DaVinci Resolve at FotoKem. Vintage LOMO prime and zoom lenses were primarily utilized, while Atlas Orion lenses were employed for low-light scenes. Additional filming locations included the Palms Casino Resort and Fremont Street in Las Vegas. The cinematography drew inspiration from 1970s New York crime dramas like "The French Connection" and "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three."

Set Design and Location

The Zakharov mansion, a significant location in the film, was shot at 2458 National Drive in Mill Basin, a mansion once owned by Russian oligarch Vasily Anisimov. Baker discovered this location by searching online for "the biggest and best mansion in Brighton Beach." To authentically portray the setting, both Baker and Madison temporarily relocated to southern Brooklyn during pre-production. Scenes featuring Toros and Ani's search for Vanya were filmed in various local restaurants and clubs frequented by the production team.

The film's soundtrack features a diverse selection of music, including Robin Schulz's rework of "Greatest Day" by Take That and "All the Things She Said" by t.A.T.u. To embody her character, Madison's friend curated a "stripper playlist" for her, featuring tracks from artists like Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Slayyyter.

"Anora" stands as a testament to Baker's commitment to telling nuanced stories about marginalized communities, offering a raw and unfiltered look at power dynamics, class struggles, and the illusions people maintain.