In Los Angeles, the 97th Academy Awards ceremony saw filmmaker Sean Baker clinching the original screenplay Oscar for “Anora,” a poignant comedy-drama centered around the life of a sex worker who weds the son of a Russian oligarch. Baker not only penned the script but also took on the roles of director, producer, and editor for the film, featuring Mikey Madison in the lead role.
“This is crazy,” Baker exclaimed, beaming as he accepted his award onstage. He extended his gratitude to his cast, expressing, “You elevated everything I wrote and made me look very good.” Beyond the screenplay accolade, Baker triumphed in the best director and editing categories for “Anora.” The film itself attained victory as the best picture, while Madison, its star, secured the best actress Academy Award. Earlier, Baker had already received recognition with a Writers Guild of America award for “Anora.”
With a modest budget of $6 million, the film stands as a crowning achievement in Baker’s career, accruing over $40 million at the box office. Known for his dedication to casting a spotlight on outcasts and marginalized subcultures, the 54-year-old filmmaker acknowledged these communities during his acceptance speech. “I want to thank the sex worker community,” Baker declared. “They have shared their stories, they have shared their life experience with me over the years. My deepest respect. I share this with you.”
“Anora” also soared to success internationally, securing the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, marking Baker as the first American director to do so since Terrence Malick’s win in 2011. The film emerged victorious against strong contenders such as “A Real Pain,” “The Brutalist,” “The Substance,” and “September 5.”
In another category, the Oscar for adapted screenplay went to “Conclave,” a papal drama written by Peter Straughan, which was adapted from a book by British novelist Robert Harris. The film, featuring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini, captivated audiences and judges alike. Backstage, Straughan expressed his astonishment, saying, “I can’t tell you how much this means to me. I started out as a playwright in the northeast of England. The first time I got an agent, she said, ‘Would you like to work in film?’ I said, ‘No, I just want to work in theater’ because it seemed like sort of alien. It’s surreal to me that I’m standing here now holding this.”
“Conclave” triumphed over several impressive works, including the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” as well as “Emilia Pérez,” “Nickel Boys,” and “Sing Sing.” This year’s Oscars saw an array of talent and storytelling recognized, celebrating creativity and the art of filmmaking.
