Anora wins Best Picture Oscar as 2025's biggest winner of the night
Sean Baker's Anora took home the Best Picture award at the 97th Academy Awards, marking a groundbreaking win for independent cinema...
Anora clinched the esteemed Best Picture accolade at the Academy Awards on Sunday, rounding off a stellar evening at Los Angeles' Dolby Theater as it bagged four other major prizes of the night.
The romcom triumphed over rivals 'The Brutalist', 'A Complete Unknown', 'Conclave', 'Dune: Part Two', 'Emilia PeÌrez', 'I'm Still Here', 'Nickel Boys', 'The Substance', and 'Wicked', tallying a total of five victories. On accepting the honour, producer Alex Coco emotionally declared: "We made this movie independently. If you're trying to make independent films, please keep doing it. We need more. This is proof."
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Fellow producer Samantha Quan said: "We made this with very little money, but all of our hearts to all of the dreamers and the young filmmakers out there. Tell the stories you want to tell. Tell the stories that move you. I promise you you will never regret it."
Best Director winning Sean Baker added: "I want to thank the Academy for recognising a truly independent film. This film was made with the blood, sweat and tears of incredible indie artists and... long live independent film!"
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Sean Baker's Anora scooped the Best Picture award at the 97th Academy Awards, marking a significant victory for independent cinema. The gritty drama follows Ani, a young stripper in Brooklyn who unexpectedly falls for Vanya, the privileged son of a powerful Russian oligarch, reports the Mirror.
What begins as an impulsive love story soon spirals as Ani becomes embroiled in a dangerous world of wealth, power, and control. The film's stark depiction of Ani's fight to maintain her independence while navigating a relationship with extreme power dynamics has drawn comparisons to classics like Uncut Gems and Good Time.
Starring Mikey Madison in a career-defining role, Anora was widely lauded for its raw realism, dynamic storytelling, and Baker's signature naturalistic filmmaking style. Known for The Florida Project and Red Rocket, Baker once again demonstrated his knack for highlighting overlooked corners of society, crafting a film that deeply resonated with audiences and critics alike.
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With a 93 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Anora has been hailed as one of the best-reviewed films of the year, praised for its bold narrative and deeply human portrayal of its characters. The film's success at the Oscars was part of a dominant night for Baker, who also won Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing.
Upon receiving the Best Original Screenplay accolade, Baker expressed his gratitude toward the community that the film portrays. "I want to thank the sex worker community," he declared.
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"My deepest respect. I share this with you."
He then dedicated his Best Director Oscar to his mother during a separate acceptance speech.
Mikey Madison, at just 25 years old, triumphed as Best Actress for her role as Ani in the film, stating, "This is a dream come true," amid an emotional speech. Highlighting her portrayal of a sex worker's life, Madison made sure to recognise the individuals from the community who influenced her performance.
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"I will continue to support and be an ally," she added, considering her interaction with these workers a pivotal experience during the project.
Madison's portrayal in the film, which displayed both vulnerability and tenacity, earned her critical acclaim and marked a significant moment in her career trajectory.
On top of its success at the Oscars, 'Anora' has been garnishing numerous accolades, including the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, enhancing its distinction as one of the yearâs eminent films. Its victories continued with the title of Best Feature at the Gotham Awards and a win for Best Film at the Independent Spirit Award.