“Sean, People Don’t Want To See That”: Anora Director Relives His Mother’s Reaction To The Premise After She Couldn’t Make It Through His Previous Movie

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Anora

Director Sean Baker has revealed that his mother didn't approve of his script for Anora. The story follows an exotic dancer who meets and quickly marries Ivan, the son of a Russian oligarch. Upon learning about the marriage, Ivan's parents rush to America to get the marriage annulled. The cast of Anora includes Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Karren Karagulian, Yuriy Borisov, and Vache Tovmasyan. Reviews have been exceptional, and the film currently has a score of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Despite Anora's strong reviews, it seems that Baker's mother has no interest in the movie's content. While speaking at the 2025 NYFCC ceremony (as reported by IndieWire), after winning the Best Screenplay award, Baker admitted that his mother didn't like his initial pitch for Anora. During his acceptance speech, Baker claimed that his mother wouldn't agree with their choice, and revealed that she didn't even make it through his previous film, Red Rocket. Read Baker's full quote below:

My mother wouldn’t agree with your choice. I don’t think she even made it through Red Rocket. And then, after she saw, I guess half of it, she asked me what was next. I pitched Anora to her over the phone, and she literally said — I’m quoting — 'Sean, people don’t want to see that.'

Anora Is Another Sean Baker Movie About A Sex Worker

Mikey Madison Shines As The Lead In Anora

Most of Baker's movies, such as Red Rocket, The Florida Project, Tangerine, and Starlet, feature sex workers in leading roles. Throughout his career, the filmmaker has been praised for highlighting the lives of sex workers. Anora is the most recent example of Baker centering a movie on a sex worker. Anora is one of his most well-written characters since she is extremely outgoing, but also has many vulnerable moments throughout the film. The ending of Anora, in particular, is a heartbreaking moment.

Reviews for Anora have been fantastic, and the film is receiving a significant amount of buzz as awards season picks up.

Baker is also not afraid to include very graphic scenes in his films. Therefore, it is understandable why his mother would be hesitant about the story he tells in the 2024 movie. However, the film has proven to be a hit with audiences. Reviews for Anora have been fantastic, and the film is receiving a significant amount of buzz as awards season picks up. Screen Rant's own Cooper Hood actually predicted that Anora would win Best Picture at the 2025 Academy Awards.

Our Take On Sean Baker's Mother's Thoughts On Anora

Anora Is One Of Sean Baker's Best Movies

Ani (Mikey Madison) and Ivan (Mark Eidelshtein) get married in Las Vegas in ANORA

It is no secret that Baker tackles some very controversial topics in his movies. Therefore, it is funny that he acknowledged what his mother thought about his most recent projects while accepting an award. Despite his mother's thoughts on the films, Anora and Red Rocket are arguably his two best movies. Anora is one of the best movies of 2024 and is definitely worth a watch.

Source: IndieWire

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Anora's life takes a dramatic twist when she impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch, catapulting her from the streets of Brooklyn to a world of opulence and scrutiny. As her new in-laws arrive with plans to dismantle the hasty union, Anora must navigate the cultural and social chasms between her past and her present. The film, directed by Sean Baker, masterfully blends sharp social commentary with heartfelt drama, painting a vivid picture of love, identity, and the unexpected consequences of a fairytale gone awry.

Release Date October 18, 2024

Runtime 139 Minutes

Cast Mikey Madison , Mark Eydelshteyn , Karren Karagulian , Yuriy Borisov , Vache Tovmasyan , Ivy Wolk , Luna Sofía Miranda , Ross Brodar , Lindsey Normington , Darya Ekamasova , Emily Weider , Alena Gurevich , Masha Zhak , Paul Weissman , Charlton Lamar , Aleksey Serebryakov , Ella Rubin , Vincent Radwinsky , Michael Sergio , Brittney Rodriguez , Sophia Carnabuci , Anton Bitter , Zoë Vnak

Character(s) Anora , Ivan , Toros , Igor , Garnick , Crystal , Lulu , Security Guard , Diamond , Galina , Nikki , Clara , Tatiana's Hostess , Nick , Court Security , Nikolay , Vera , Jimmy , Judge , Dawn , Jenny , Tom , Rachel

Director Sean Baker

Writers Sean Baker

Studio(s) Cre Film , FilmNation Entertainment

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