Independent film Anora has dominated the 2025 Oscars, winning four awards for its director, Sean Baker in what has been seen by many as the ultimate upset victor of the 97th Academy Awards.
As the movie gains recognition for its accurate depiction of the US adult industry, Baker has used this success to advocate for the decriminalization of sex work.
Anora Director Wants Sex Work Decriminalized After Dominating the Oscars
After winning four awards at the 97th Academy Awards, indie director Sean Baker stated that his stance on advocating for the decriminalization of sex work remains unchanged.
“It’s our oldest profession, yet it has an [incredibly] unfair stigma applied to it. And what I’ve been trying to do with my films is sort of chip away at that very unfair stigma,” Baker said backstage after receiving the awards.
He added, “Personally, I think it should be decriminalized, and I guess through my work, through hopefully humanizing my characters that are usually seen as perhaps caricatures in most film and television, it will help do that.”
Baker has been vocal about his views on sex work even during Anora’s production.
In a 2024 press interview, The Florida Project (2017) director said that sex work is a career that should be respected and legalized, as individuals should have the right to decide how they use their bodies to earn a living.
The film, which had a modest $6 million budget, earned $41 million at the box office and won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 77th Cannes Festival during its May 2024 premiere.
Anora also dominated the Oscars, winning Best Picture, while Mikey Madison took home Best Actress for her role as Anora Mikheeva.
Baker won Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Film Editing, making his five-award victory a historic achievement that set a new Hollywood record this 2025.
What is Anora About?
Released in theaters in October 2024 by Neon, Anora is a tragicomedy about Anora Mikheeva, a young professional in the adult industry who impulsively decides to marry Ivan, the son of a Russian oligarch.
Described as a “Cinderella story without the fairy tale ending,” Anora follows two young lovers whose romance is bound to fail.
The film stars Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actress Mikey Madison and Land of Sasha actor Mark Eydelshteyn. Other supporting cast members include Karren Karagulian, Aleksei Serebryakov, Vache Tovmasyan, and Yura Borisov.
For those wondering where to stream Anora, it’s not available on any streaming services yet. However, since its distributor, Neon, has a deal with Hulu, the movie will likely be added to the platform soon.
In the meantime, you can buy or rent the film on Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, and Fandango at Home. Additionally, some theaters are still showing Anora, and tickets can be booked through sites like Fandango and AMC.
What do you think about Anora’s director taking a stand on the normalization of sex work? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Be sure to follow our official Facebook page to stay up to date with all your favorite TV shows and celebrities!