LOS ANGELES (AP) — The acclaimed filmmaker Sean Baker made history on Sunday by sweeping the Academy Awards for his film "Anora." Baker took home four Oscars, including best director and best picture, marking a significant achievement for the 53-year-old creator whose narratives often center around marginalized communities, particularly sex workers and immigrants.
Baker, who served as the writer, producer, director, and editor of "Anora," received accolades in four major categories, a feat that ties him with Walt Disney for the most wins in a single year in Oscar history. This remarkable achievement highlights Baker’s unique storytelling ability as he humanizes characters often overlooked by mainstream cinema. "Anora," the evening's most celebrated film with a total of five awards, features Mikey Madison as a Brooklyn exotic dancer whose impulsive marriage to the son of a Russian oligarch sends them on a chaotic adventure filled with comedic circumstances.
The film's success at the Oscars comes after Baker's triumphant run throughout the awards season, including wins at the Directors Guild of America, Producers Guild, and Independent Spirit Awards. His victory in the directing category was foretold by industry analysts, considering the historical pattern that the DGA award often predicts the Oscars finalist. In accepting the best director award, Baker urged fellow filmmakers to prioritize creating for the big screen, voicing concern over the dwindling theater experience. "In a time in which the world can feel very divided, this is more important than ever," Baker emphasized. "It's a communal experience you simply don't get at home."
Baker credited his leading actress, Mikey Madison, for the film's success, revealing that her casting in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood" in 2019 paved the way for "Anora." Madison, who was awarded best actress for her performance, expressed her gratitude towards Baker: "Thank you so much to Sean. I adore you. This is all because of you," she stated during her acceptance speech.
This year's Oscar ceremony featured a notable achievement with a lineup of five first-time nominees in the best director category, reflecting a significant shift towards recognising independent filmmakers who take creative control over their projects. Baker's competitors included Brady Corbet ("The Brutalist"), James Mangold ("A Complete Unknown"), Jacques Audiard ("Emilia Pérez"), and Coralie Fargeat ("The Substance").
Through "Anora," Baker continues to push the boundaries of independent cinema, blending humor and social consciousness to create accessible narratives that resonate with a broader audience. Produced on a modest budget of $6 million, which Baker humorously noted was less than the catering budget for some competing films, "Anora" stands in stark contrast to the lavish budgets of blockbuster films—such as "Oppenheimer," which was produced for $100 million.
As an advocate for independent filmmaking, Baker has consistently voiced the challenges faced by indie directors within an industry that increasingly favors high-budget productions. At the Independent Spirit Awards, he warned that indie films risk being reduced to mere "calling card films"—projects made solely to attract attention from major studios for future opportunities. Baker expressed hopes that the accolades for "Anora" would bolster support for independent filmmaking, enabling innovative and artistic projects to find their place in cinema.
The director's career has been marked by his commitment to destigmatizing sex work, a theme prevalent in his previous works like "Starlet," "Tangerine," "The Florida Project," and "Red Rocket." Baker's films often focus on the lived experiences of sex workers and other marginalized individuals, aiming to foster understanding and empathy through compelling storytelling.
In addition to Baker and Madison's victories, producers Alex Coco and Samantha Quan, Baker’s wife, also received Oscars for their roles in bringing "Anora" to fruition. As the film continues to gain recognition, both Baker's innovative approach and commitment to the independent film community are underscored, setting a powerful example for future filmmakers.
