"ANORA" God Bless Anora! May the light bless Anora!

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2025.03.03Daiji Miyashiro

Synopsis of "ANORA"

Anora, known as "Annie," lives in New York as a stripper and meets Ivan, the son of a wealthy Russian family, at the club where she works. For $15,000, Annie becomes his "contract girlfriend" for seven days until he returns to Russia. After spending days partying, shopping, and indulging in luxury, the couple impulsively get married at a church in Las Vegas to cap off their vacation! The couple is at the peak of their happiness, but their Russian parents are vehemently opposed to the marriage after hearing rumors that their son has married a prostitute. They send strong men to their son's mansion to stop the marriage. Soon after, Ivan's parents arrive from Russia. Facing the harsh reality that has descended from the sky, the second chapter of Annie's story begins.

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Dedicated to all sex workers past, present and future

When "ANORA" (24) won the Palme d'Or, the highest award at the Cannes Film Festival, director Sean Baker gave a moving speech on stage: "I dedicate this award to all sex workers, past, present and future."

Anti-romantic comedy. A fucking Cinderella story. The first 40 minutes are full of tension. Anora (Mikey Madison) does a spectacular pole dance. In the strip club where Anora works, Take That's hedonistic song " Greatest Day " is blasting. "Celebrate the best day." "Make the best day shine." With dangerously optimistic phrases sung repeatedly in the background, Anora is literally having her "best day."

Anora meets Prince Ivan (Mark Adelstein), one of the most shallow and frivolous characters in film history. Ivan is the foolish son of a wealthy Russian man. He takes a liking to Anora and asks her to have a relationship outside of the club. At first, it's just a business deal. But when Ivan asks her to marry him, Anora's life changes dramatically. Ivan is a prodigal son who doesn't want to take over the family business. He just wants to play around. If he marries an American, he can get a green card (permanent residency), and he can stay in the America he loves.

Ivan, who glides nimbly through the spacious house with steps like Timothée Chalamet, is a brat in an adult costume (Mark Edelstein is also known as the "Russian Timothée Chalamet"). Ivan proposes to Anora, who becomes a princess with the glass slipper. I don't think Anora is in love with Ivan. But that doesn't mean we should criticize her. Because Anora is incredibly in love with the "story of destiny" that will change her life. Anora is in the midst of a big wave. The euphoria continues like an endless party. There is an explosion of energy that goes beyond morality.

Sean Baker has portrayed people who are out of reach of the American Hidden Figures throughout his filmography. Especially since " The Widow " (2012), he has portrayed sex workers with respect. In " Tangerine " (2015), a Christmas movie in which a transgender call girl drags her lover's cheating partner around, and in " The Florida Project " (2017), he showed respect for a mother who sells her body to support her daughter. And in his previous film, " Red Rocket " (2021), he portrayed a fallen ex-porn star. Sean Baker brings to light the complex layers of discrimination that overlap in this world. We see Anora fiercely resisting the word "prostitute." Anora was just doing her job. Sean Baker's attitude of walking alongside sex workers remains unchanged. That's why his speech at the Cannes Film Festival was so moving.

Once in a lifetime role

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