Sean Baker’s newest film Anora (2024), has received six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for lead Mikey Madison. The film follows sex worker Ani after she becomes engaged to the son of a Russian oligarch. Baker has often been praised for his portrayal of the lives of the working-class, especially portraying the harsh reality of being a sex worker. With Anora being his most high-budget film yet, does it still portray the rawness that audiences have come to love with his previous works?
Baker’s breakout began with his fifth film, Tangerine (2015) that was shot on three iPhone 5s. The film follows Sin-Dee, a transgender sex worker in Hollywood, LA as she goes on a journey with her best friend Alexandra to reprimand her boyfriend after she discovers he has been unfaithful. When making Tangerine, Baker took to the streets of Los Angeles, attempting to get himself acquainted with the local population, finding both the actresses for Sin-Dee and Alexandra this way.
Two years later, The Florida Project (2017) is released; a film following six-year-old Moonee living in a motel with her mother as they struggle to get by, which garnered major critical and commercial success. Discovering the lead actress Bria Vinaite on his Instagram explore page after seeing an advertisement for her marijuana-themed clothing line, Baker’s commitment to portraying life accurately shines through. In these films, each character and the struggles they face feel completely believable.
Anora’s bigger budget is not the only thing that differs from Baker’s other films. This time, instead of putting an emphasis on the beauty and comedy of everyday life, Baker goes in a different direction, envisioning what would happen if all your dreams came true. Well, what Ani believes her dreams are. Anora doesn’t shy away from emphasising that sometimes what you wish for might not be what it’s cut out to be. However, Baker’s passion for authenticity still shines through, as Anora cements itself as just as gritty and funny than Tangerine and The Florida Project. Although they may vary in many aspects, Baker’s filmography goes to show that passion goes a long way, whether you have a big budget or not.
“Sean Baker” by Panda.* is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.