Festivals - FCAD 2024 : Sean Baker’s Gritty Fairy Tale Anora Takes Center Stage at Deauville

By Mulder, Deauville, Deauville International Center, 12 september 2024

As the prestigious 50th Deauville American Film Festival continues its golden anniversary, it has attracted some of the most intriguing works in contemporary cinema, and Anora — the latest feature by acclaimed director Sean Baker — made a memorable mark with its French premiere. The screening, which took place on the evening of September 12, 2024, at the festival’s heart in the C.I.D., was met with thunderous applause as both Sean Baker and the film’s lead actress, Mikey Madison, took to the stage to introduce their genre-blending masterpiece to an eager French audience.

Sean Baker, celebrated for his groundbreaking films like Tangerine and The Florida Project, once again focuses on marginalized voices in Anora, but this time with a striking twist. The film tells the story of Ani, a sex worker from Brooklyn, portrayed by Madison, who becomes entwined in a whirlwind romance with Ivan (played by Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a Russian oligarch. Their relationship, marked by luxury and excess, offers Ani the chance at a fairy-tale ending, but as the marriage news reaches Ivan's family in Russia, the blissful escapade takes a dark and unpredictable turn.

Speaking before the screening, Sean Baker shared insights into his creative process, noting how he wanted to craft a film that could surprise audiences by its ability to shift between genres. I love tonal jumps, and Anora gave me the space to explore different styles, he remarked, standing beside Madison, who has garnered critical acclaim for her portrayal of the complex character Ani. Sean Baker’s interest in creating a film that starts as a romantic comedy before delving into darker, more complex realities reflects his ongoing fascination with the lives of outsiders, a theme that has run throughout his career.

In Anora, the romantic comedy genre quickly gives way to a more serious examination of wealth, power, and survival. Ani’s Cinderella-esque dreams become complicated as the oligarch’s family tries to undermine her, forcing her to navigate high-society schemes and a world where class distinctions are stark. As the story progresses, Sean Baker's vision brilliantly blurs lines between slapstick comedy and social drama, turning Ani’s fairy-tale dream into a rollercoaster of raw emotions and gut-punching realities.

Mikey Madison, known for her work in Better Things and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, delivers a performance that is both vulnerable and fierce. She captures Ani’s hopeful optimism alongside her relentless grit, transforming a potentially cynical character into one filled with ambition and the drive to better her circumstances. Ani is not cynical, she’s just hopeful in her own unique way, Madison said during a Q&A after the screening. She sees an opportunity and grabs it, thinking that maybe, just maybe, this could be her chance at a better life.

The audience in Deauville, known for their discerning tastes, responded enthusiastically, with the film receiving extended applause. Many viewers praised Sean Baker’s skill at blending different cinematic tones — from romance to action to biting satire — all while keeping the film grounded in authentic character dynamics. Anora’s exploration of societal divides resonated particularly well in France, where debates on class and inequality are part of the national conversation.

Critics attending the premiere highlighted the film’s unique blend of levity and gravity. The first half of Anora allows viewers to bask in a romantic comedy structure, reminiscent of classic Nora Ephron films, only to shatter those expectations with a gripping second half that plunges into Sean Baker’s signature realist territory. The stark contrast between Ani’s hustle as a sex worker and the extravagant, absurd world of oligarchs creates an intense narrative tension. Yura Borisov and Vache Tovmasyan also stand out in supporting roles, adding depth and humor to a film that’s already full of unexpected turns.

Anora isn’t merely a love story; it’s a bold commentary on the American dream and the myth of pulling oneself up by one’s bootstraps. The film critiques the disparities between the working class and the global elite, portraying Ani as someone whose success — or survival — depends entirely on her wits and willpower. The film also includes gripping moments of slapstick comedy and bursts of thrilling action, making it a thoroughly engaging experience from beginning to end​.

Sean Baker’s direction, coupled with Drew Daniels' stunning cinematography, captures both the gritty realities of Ani’s Brooklyn life and the surreal opulence of her sudden immersion into oligarchic excess. The film also offers plenty of visual flourishes, including a striking scene on Coney Island’s iconic Cyclone rollercoaster, a metaphor for the emotional highs and lows Ani endures throughout the story.

As Anora continues its journey through the international festival circuit, its stop at Deauville will undoubtedly be remembered as a highlight of FCAD 2024. With its masterful mix of genre, razor-sharp social commentary, and standout performances, Anora is poised to leave a lasting impact, both on audiences and in the broader cinematic landscape. The night closed with Sean Baker and Madison receiving a standing ovation, solidifying Anora as one of the most compelling and talked-about films at this year’s festival.

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Synopsis:
Anora, a young Brooklyn stripper, is transformed into a modern-day Cinderella when she meets the son of a Russian oligarch. Without hesitation, she enthusiastically marries her Prince Charming, but when the news reaches Russia, the fairy tale is quickly threatened: the young man's parents leave for New York with the firm intention of having the marriage annulled...

Anora
Written and directed by Sean Baker
Produced by Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, Sean Baker
Starring Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan, Aleksei Serebryakov
Cinematography : Drew Daniels
Edited by Sean Baker
Music by Matthew Hearon-Smith
Production companies : FilmNation Entertainment, Cre Film
Distributed by Neon (United States), Le Pacte (France)
Release dates : May 21, 2024 (Cannes), October 18, 2024 (United States), October 30, 2024 (France)
Running time : 139 minutes

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville