“Anora” Sweeps Oscars, Takes Home Best Picture, Four More Awards

Sean Baker’s “Anora,” the compelling story of a New York sex worker whose impulsive marriage to a wealthy Russian man throws her life into unexpected turmoil, was the big winner at Sunday night’s Academy Awards, claiming five of the ceremony’s most prestigious awards, including Best Picture, as per Al Jazeera.

The low-budget indie ($6 million) beat out a diverse field of contenders including the papal thriller “Conclave,” Jewish immigrant saga “The Brutalist,” and blockbuster musical “Wicked.”

The film’s star, Mikey Madison, at just 25 years old, was awarded Best Actress for her captivating performance. Sean Baker also took home the Best Director award, while “Anora” secured wins for Original Screenplay and Editing.

Baker used his acceptance speech to passionately advocate for the preservation of the theatrical experience.

Other Notable Wins:

• Best Actor: Adrien Brody earned his second Oscar for his portrayal of a Jewish immigrant architect pursuing the American dream in “The Brutalist.” This win comes 22 years after his first for “The Pianist.”
• Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldana was honored for her performance as a fixer for a Mexican drug lord in the Spanish-language musical, “Emilia Perez.”
• Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin took home the award for his role in the film “A Real Pain.”
• Best International Film: Brazil celebrated its first ever win in the category with “I’m Still Here,” a powerful film about a family fractured by the country’s decades-long military dictatorship. Directed by Walter Salles, the film tells the story of Eunice Paiva, played by Fernanda Torres, whose leftist congressman husband, Rubens Paiva, disappeared after being taken from their home in 1971.
• Best Documentary: “No Other Land,” a collaborative effort between Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, took home the Oscar for Best Documentary. The film highlights the struggles of Palestinian activists fighting to protect their communities from demolition by Israeli forces, focusing on activist Basel Adra as he documents the destruction of his hometown and seeks to amplify his story with the help of a Jewish Israeli journalist.