Director Sean Baker, whose credits include The Florida Project and Red Rocket, comes back with Anora, a screwball comedy that had its 2024 release to critical and audience acclaim. The plot follows the whirlwind romance between Ani (Mikey Madison), a New York sex worker, and Vanya, the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch. A short-lived romance turns into a fiasco as the two people get married impulsively. Vanya’s powerful parents send enforcers to annul the marriage, thus adding a comedy and tension-filled drama to the plot.
The story of Baker will capture the absurdities and hardships in Ani’s journey in the film as she fights to hold onto the life she built, with a lot of humor, resilience, and emotional depth. The film’s narrative will be woven in with the critiques of class and power, showing how working-class individuals get entangled in the games of the ultra-rich. Through these chaotic encounters, Ani emerges as both a relatable and unforgettable character, winning over the audience and critics alike.
Anora had its world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme d’Or and cemented Baker’s position as a master of independent filmmaking. Baker brings a new perspective to the romantic comedy genre, using elements of classic Hollywood, but keeping it very much within the context of contemporary themes, and he does it all with a great ability to blend empathy with humor.
For more on Anora and its release details, visit the full review here: BFI or Roger Ebert.
