Yura Borisov makes a quiet yet powerful impression in the film “Anora.” His character, Igor, makes his entrance almost halfway through the movie, serving as the muscle without ever really taking center stage initially. Despite this subdued introduction, Borisov’s presence demands attention as he observes the chaos surmounting around him.
Initially, the film is anchored by Mikey Madison’s character, Ani, whose tumultuous romance with a wealthy Russian oligarch’s son plays out on screen. However, the arrival of Igor signals the beginning of a deteriorating honeymoon phase, culminating in a frantic, overnight pursuit. Borisov’s portrayal of Igor transforms him from a mere henchman into the emotional core of the narrative—a nuanced figure who evokes sympathy amidst unfolding turmoil.
Borisov’s unexpected star power in “Anora” has led to significant recognition, including nominations from the Oscars, Screen Actors Guild, and BAFTAs. Yet, while he may be relatively new to international audiences, the 32-year-old actor has already established himself as a prominent figure in Russian cinema. His breakthrough moment came in the acclaimed Cannes film “Compartment No. 6,” where he portrayed a rough miner sharing intimate quarters with a Finnish student during an arduous train journey across Russia.
This role caught the attention of filmmaker Sean Baker, who reached out to him for “Anora.” Baker has referred to Borisov as his “secret weapon” and likened him to the “Russian Ryan Gosling.” Borisov appreciates the comparison, though he admits he’s unsure how to interpret it. “I love Ryan Gosling and would love to work with him someday, but I’m not sure what Sean really means,” he chuckled.
Baker knew he had made a great choice with Borisov, but the director kept much of Igor’s character under wraps until his reveal. The film features a gripping 28-minute real-time home invasion sequence, which showcases Igor and was Borisov’s initial scene to film. This segment underwent thorough rehearsals and discussion prior to shooting, ultimately taking around eight days to film, followed by three months of editing.
“We aimed to balance humor, horror, drama, and comedy within that scene,” Borisov explained. He noted that their focus was less on the technical aspects and more on bringing the characters, Igor and Anora, to life. Throughout the development of Igor’s character, Borisov and Baker delved into Igor’s backstory, motivations, and even wardrobe choices, finding meaning in details like his white Nike sneakers amidst an all-black outfit, signifying deeper aspects of Igor’s character.
Despite his accomplishments, Borisov tends to downplay the need to articulate his artistic process. He believes that the performance itself should convey the message, stating, “What truly matters is the audience’s feelings after viewing the film rather than the discussions we had.”
As Borisov spoke, “Anora” was gaining momentum as a leading contender in various award categories, overshadowing several notable nominees. While the race for Best Supporting Actor appears to favor Kieran Culkin, Borisov’s achievement is remarkable; he is the first Russian actor nominated since Mikhail Baryshnikov in 1977 for “The Turning Point.” He expressed joy not just for personal accolades, but for the broader implications, saying it could inspire hope and pride within others.
The whirlwind since Cannes has been thrilling, and he now anticipates upcoming events in London for the BAFTAs and Los Angeles for the Oscars. The accolades have been exhilarating, but Borisov finds immense value in the connections he’s forged with colleagues throughout this journey.
“It’s truly a wild time,” he remarked. Although he is hesitant to discuss how his newfound prominence may alter his career just yet, he did share, “Life is changing.” Ultimately, what brings him the most joy right now is the shared experiences and time together with the cast and crew of the film. “While it may seem trivial amidst all the awards and opportunities, spending time with friends is incredibly important to me,” he indicated. “Soon enough, we’ll all go our separate ways, and that thought saddens me. But today, we are still united, and that makes me happy.”
