Renowned for his meticulous portrayal of marginalized individuals, Sean Baker delineates an Uzbek-American stripper named Anora's sudden catapult to affluence in his latest movie "Anora". Mikey Madison delivers a standout performance, imparting a profound emotional depth to her role as a 23-year-old sex worker in Brooklyn.
Ani, as she is fondly called, leverages her fluency in Russian to connect with Ivan, a young man from Russia visiting the US. Ivan, portrayed by Mark Eydelshteyn, is the son of an affluent oligarch and lives alone in a luxurious mansion. He showers Ani with generous financial gifts which she readily accepts. They later come to an agreement where Ani would impersonate as Ivan's girlfriend in return for $15,000, a arrangement that soon escalates into a sudden wedding.
This shocking news creates a stir in the lives of Torros and his henchmen, tasked with managing Ivan's affairs. They perceive the marriage to a prostitute as a force that could tarnish Ivan's family reputation. Their perspectives evolve as they gradually realize that Ani could potentially be a positive influence on the spoilt Ivan. However, the drama unfolds when they attempt to dissolve the hastily formed union.
Baker's films focus on deeper social issues beyond their comic narratives, covering topics such as immigration, discrimination, and economic disparities. With a knack for adapting distinctive tones to various locations and characters, his films also subtly capture the essence of city living.
The background is set at New Year's in stark contrast to his previous Christmas narrative, "Tangerine". "Anora", like its predecessor, delicately deals with the lives of sex workers while progressively transitioning in tone, ending on an unexpected chilly note. Baker's distinct style of integrating locations and actors from previous works, such as Brittney Rodriguez from "Red Rocket", presents a unique viewing experience.
Also noteworthy is the return of Russian theatre and film director Kirill Serebrennikov to Cannes, despite his recent legal troubles. He presents a new movie "Limonov. The Ballad", profiling the tumultuous life of Russian writer and agitator Eduard Limonov.
Serebrennikov showers a glamorous spotlight on Limonov’s chaotic life as seen in his unabashed, rebellious stance on politics and sexuality. This biographical film also sheds light on Limonov's controversial support for Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the Russian separatists in the Donbas region. However, it is a relentless and furious narrative that circles around Limonov's fiery temperament, based on a book by Emmanuel Carrère.
