At the Cannes Film Festival, Sean Baker’s latest film “Anora” has generated significant buzz. The film features Mikey Madison in a raw and revealing performance as a high-class stripper who marries the son of a Russian oligarch. This marks another entry in Baker’s body of work that focuses on sex workers, following films like “Starlet” and “Red Rocket.”
During a press conference, Baker revealed that his next project will also involve a sex worker. He emphasized the importance of exploring sex work in the modern age, considering it a legitimate job and career that should be respected. “It’s important to explore what sex work is in the modern age and how it applies in a capitalist society; it’s a job, a livelihood, it’s a career and it should be respected,” Baker stated. He further advocated for the decriminalization of sex work, stating, “It’s a sex worker’s body … it’s their body and it’s up to them to decide how to use it in their livelihood.”
Baker expressed a desire to tell human stories through his films, aiming to remove the stigma associated with sex work. He wrote the script of “Anora” specifically for Madison, who noted that she had never had a director write a role specifically for her before. In the film, Madison’s character finds love, but the oligarch son’s family attempts to destroy their marriage.
Baker approached “Anora” with themes of power and power dynamics, portraying Madison’s character as being in control even when faced with adversity. He acknowledged that the film had similarities to “Pretty Woman,” a subconscious influence from his upbringing in the 1980s, but he aimed to ground “Anora” in a more realistic setting, challenging typical romantic comedy tropes.
“Anora” received a 10-minute standing ovation at its Cannes world premiere and has been praised by critics, currently holding a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
