The 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, saw Sean Baker’s film ‘Anora’s rather unconventional win as everyone was expecting a different ending. The film acquired all the important awards, being the Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.
Without a doubt the film was the real winner of the competition; at the same time it was the most talked about film of the year with its success not only being limited to the stage of the awards. Since winning the Oscar, the film has taken the top position on the list of most-watched films over all the other sites out there, which is a clear indication of its heavy trend among the sites of the globe.
‘Anora’: A Small Film With a Big Impact
It should be noted that ‘Anora’ is created on an exceptionally low budget compared to the expensive movies which usually have a budget of around $10 million. The narrative of the underdog turned out to be equally memorable and cherished by the both the critics and the public, setting a great example that through good storytelling the ultimate glory could be achieved ignoring all the costly special effects.
Anora, a Brooklyn-based dancer, and sex worker manage to escape with the Russian oligarch’s son. The topics of identity, ambition, and cultural conflict are the basic leitmotifs of the film, which has caused quite some stir among the film critics and political commentators on a global scale.
Sean Baker Makes History at the Oscars
The successful Oscar night of Sean Baker’s was indeed extraordinary. By the victory of four individual Oscars in a night, that equal Walt Disney’s the most Oscars won by one man for the whole year record, he set a new benchmark.
Baker, who is renowned for his authentic and raw storytelling, has once again shown that independent cinema is also important in the world of cinema. His victory was also a major shift in the entertainment industry, as it showed that smaller films are overtaking big studios in popularity.
Mikey Madison Wins Best Actress
Mikey Madison is the Best Actress prize holder, she was absolutely stunning, and she performed a highly emotional role in the movie. Her role as Anora has been hailed as the best performances this year as the critics have recognized her for her ability to portray a multidimensional character.
‘Anora’ Sparks International Debate
The movie that has been lauded in the U.S. and the rest of the world has evoked different reactions in Russia, the movie has been given both the thumbs up and the thumbs down. Russian critics are of the opinion that the movie is a Western denunciation of Russian power and wealth but the rest of the commentators are convinced, irrespective of the fact that the movie is actually a good representation of Russian culture on the world stage.
Despite the divergent views, the topic of the movie, ‘Anora’ efficiently and remarkably has become the focus of conversations dealing with the power of independent storytelling with an ability that crosses boundaries in the formation of new narratives.
Where to Watch ‘Anora’
Done with the glory of the Oscars, Hulu’s streaming service has propelled ‘Anora’ to one of the first places that moviegoers in the app click watch, and that has put it at the top of the platform’s most-watched things to watch. Now, for those who couldn’t catch it in theaters, the movie is available at Hulu for streaming.
A Defining Moment for Independent Cinema
‘Anora’ winning the Best Picture at the 97th Academy Awards has been a defining moment in the history of independent films. Sean Baker’s prize has paved the way for a new era in the film industry. The movie is being raved about by viewers around the globe, thus, it has become one of the most influential movies of the year.
