Anora” is a 2024 American romantic comedy-drama directed by Sean Baker, known for his authentic portrayals of marginalized communities. The film offers a modern twist on the Cinderella story, blending humor with social commentary.
Synopsis
The story follows Anora “Ani” Mikheeva (Mikey Madison) who is a 23-year-old exotic dancer residing in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. Ani meets Ivan “Vanya” Zakharov (Mark Eydelshteyn), a 21 year old son of a russian oligarch which leads to her experiencing drastic changes in her life. Their romantic relationship progresses quickly, leading to a spontaneous marriage in Las Vegas, but things begin to shift when Vanya’s powerful family gets involved. They begin to threaten Ani’s fairy tale dreams with ideas of annulling the marriage.
Awards & Wins
Anora” was first revealed on the 21st May 2024 at the Cannes film festival where it received critical reviews and subsequently, won the Palme D’or. The film has been nominated for 6 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress for Sean Baker and Mikey Madison respectively. It also received 5 nominations at the Golden Globe and 7 nominations at the British Academy Film Awards.
Cast & Crew
- Director & Writer: Sean Baker
- Producers: Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, Sean Baker
- Cast:
- Mikey Madison as Anora “Ani” Mikheeva
- Mark Eydelshteyn as Ivan “Vanya” Zakharov
- Yura Borisov
- Karren Karagulian
- Vache Tovmasyan
- Aleksei Serebryakov
IMDb Ratings
As of January 2025, “Anora” holds a rating of 8.2/10 on IMDb, reflecting its positive reception from audiences.
Personal Insights
Sean Baker’s direction is impressive in Anora, where he manages to present a narrative that is both interesting and intellectually stimulating. Mikey Madison as Ani is astonishing as the character gives a multi-dimensional performance showcasing strength and fragility. The mix of comedy and drama certainly takes on the timeless fairytale ‘Cinderella,’ proving the film to be a cut above the rest in modern day’s cinema.
Cultural Significance
Social class, identity, and the American dream are the main focuses of ‘Anora’. Within the context of the Russian American community in Brooklyn, the film intricately examines cultural fusions and their modern day relational dynamics. It is apparent too why the film has received such high praise and accolades as it still remains true to the spirit of cinema today.