I am not typically one to pay any attention at all to the Oscars. But my attention was piqued by Anora, a Sean Baker film that centers on a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, being up for awards in six categories this year—awards that it largely won.
Anora took best picture (beating the likes of big deal pictures like Dune: Part Two and Wicked), while actress Mikey Madison took best actress for her portrayal of the film's namesake character. Baker—who wrote and directed—took best director, best original screenplay, and best film editing. Anora's only loser last night was Yura Borisov, who was up for best supporting actor but lost to Kieran Culkin.
I think the film lives up to its hype, excelling on a purely narrative/cinematic level while also giving us a refreshingly nonstereotypical depiction of a sex worker. But among sex workers, the film has sparked some seriously diverging opinions. In today's newsletter, I want to explore different takes on the film and on what those involved have been saying about sex work.
