As a film enthusiast with a keen eye for stories that delve deep into the human condition, I find myself captivated by the works of Sean Baker, a director who masterfully blends humor, drama, and raw reality in his films. His latest masterpiece, “Anora“, is no exception. It’s a tale about a woman navigating the complex world of sex work, a world that, admittedly, I have never had the pleasure (or misfortune) of visiting myself.
Every year, movie enthusiasts eagerly wait to find out which film will receive the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. This year, the honors went to Sean Baker, an American director, for his production titled “Anora“. It’s challenging to categorize Anora into a single genre. It encompasses elements of romantic comedy, drama, and crime thriller. Typically, combining so many genres can make a film feel disjointed, but in this case, it proved effective.
If you found yourself captivated by the story of Ani, played by Mikey Madison in “Anora,” and yearn for more after the credits roll, here’s a list of 13 films that could quench your thirst for intricate portrayals of sex work, fierce heroines, a blend of humor and drama, or any other aspects that made “Anora” appealing. Enjoy!
13 ‘X: Night of Vengeance’ (2011)
“Night of Vengeance”: An Australian Thriller
Under the Radar
Similar to the story in Anora, the primary character finds herself immersed in a perilous and unstable environment far beyond her initial expectations. Despite being relatively unknown, X: Night of Vengeance, has managed to fly under the radar, both in Australia and domestically. However, this gem of a movie, with its gripping pace and intense scenarios, is certainly worth discovering for many viewers.
12 ‘Girl Lost’ (2018)
“Lost Youth” tells the story of Shara, a fifteen-year-old girl residing in Los Angeles alongside her mother. Her mother is involved in escort work, yet she expresses a desire to scale back as she grows older. However, she hasn’t quite decided to leave the profession entirely. Influenced by her mother, Shara finds herself drawn into a dangerous lifestyle, leading her down a path of self-destruction at such a young age.
A Grim Reality
Compared to “Anora,” the movie “Girl Lost” carries a more somber and intense tone. Yet, viewers who appreciate the raw authenticity that smaller films often offer will find “Girl Lost” compelling as well. Some scenes may be difficult to endure, but the filmmaker carefully balanced portraying Shara’s grim reality without reducing her to anything less than human.
11 ‘Working Girls’ (1986)
This drama titled “Working Girls” explores the lives of various women working at a Manhattan brothel. Among them are Yale graduate Molly, who relies on this job to sustain herself and her partner. Gina aspires to open her own boutique one day. Dawn is pursuing higher education with the earnings from here. Lastly, there’s Lucy, the somewhat lenient madam overseeing the operation.
Not as Raunchy
This movie carries a more playful mood compared to many others on the list. The film “Working Girls” is actually the second project by director Lizzie Borden. Contrary to what one might expect given its title and setting, it’s not overly focused on sex. If you found “Anora” too explicit for your taste, “Working Girls” could be a suitable alternative.
10 ‘Belle de Jour’ (1967)
The film “Belle de Jour,” being the eldest on this list, possesses an ageless charm. Originating from a 1928 novel, it revolves around Séverine Serizy, who appears to be an ordinary housewife. Despite her affection for her spouse, she finds herself sexually unfulfilled and yearns for something more. Intrigued by the tale of someone within her acquaintances working at a brothel, her curiosity is ignited.
Is It All Just a Dream?
This French film skillfully balances restraint in certain aspects while remaining intense in others. It employs dream sequences to connect with Séverine’s hidden truths, longings, and aspirations, steering the movie towards the realm of surrealism. The concluding scene is likely to spark debate or prompt viewers to seek out online discussions about its meaning, much like the ending in Anora.
9 ‘Whore’ (1991)
As a passionate advocate for Ken Russell’s groundbreaking work, I find myself drawn to his 1991 film titled “Whore.” In this movie, I followed the journey of Liz, a woman who has been a part of street prostitution. Over time, she seems to have lost her spark, reflecting the weariness that comes from her chosen path.
The movie faced widespread rejection because of its NC-17 rating and explicit portrayal of prostitution. This rating led to bans in some countries, negatively impacting its box office earnings. Those associated with the film “Whore” have protested against this rating, explaining to the Los Angeles Times that it gives a misleading impression of the movie being pornographic; they insist that it’s not.
8 ‘The Players Club’ (1998)
“The Players Club” centers around Diana, a determined woman striving for a college education and a brighter future. However, the expensive tuition poses a significant challenge. In a bold move, she begins working as a stripper, adopting the stage name Diamond. The movie explores the friendships, romances, and conflicts that arise within the club’s patrons.
Newcomer Energy
In this movie, Ice Cube makes his directorial bow for the first time, and there are certainly moments where a more skilled touch might have been beneficial, particularly regarding the representation and mistreatment of women. On a positive note, LisaRaye McCoy delivers a strong performance in her debut leading role, much like Madison’s character in “Anora,” making it one of the film’s highlights.
7 ‘Showgirls’ (1995)
Showgirls tells the story of a controversial dramatic film about a determined young woman named Nomi. Pursuing her dream of becoming a dancer and showgirl, she hitches a ride to Las Vegas. To make ends meet temporarily, she takes up work as a stripper. As the narrative unfolds, Nomi finds herself entangled in the ruthless world of the club, while simultaneously exploring a blossoming romance.
Flawed and Fascinating
The performances and script in this film aren’t particularly impressive, and the character development and messaging can be confusing. However, some find that its exceptional hair, makeup, and fashion design are its only redeeming qualities. Despite the ongoing controversy, many continue to watch it after nearly three decades. In a strange way, it’s captivating – it might leave you feeling queasy, but the non-stop energy and over-the-top campiness make it hard to turn off. In short, “Showgirls” is infectious in its unique, sometimes nauseating charm.
6 ‘Sleeping Beauty’ (2011)
2011’s film titled “Sleeping Beauty” deviates from the tale of a man transforming into a beast. Instead, this Australian drama centers around a college student named Lucy. To make ends meet, she juggles various jobs, but her current one is quite unusual. She becomes part of a unique group where men pay to sleep beside semi-conscious women who are expected to fulfill their sexual demands, a requirement that includes being asleep.
Why It’s Great
This movie is quite surreal in nature. Initially, its plot may appear implausible, yet it’s handled in such a way that it never feels over-the-top or comical. At times, it even borders on the horrifying. It offers a captivating exploration of character development and boasts stunning visuals. Anora, while moving at a faster pace, shares similarities with this film in terms of complex characters and deliberate cinematic decisions that will appeal to film enthusiasts.
5 ‘Spring Breakers’ (2013)
The film titled Spring Breakers revolves around four college friends, Faith, Candy, Cotty, and Brit, whose spring break vacation takes an unforeseen turn. Finding themselves short on funds for their planned getaway, the duo of Brit and Candy hatch a daring scheme involving ski masks, replica firearms, and a restaurant heist. However, this is merely the beginning of their chaotic few days, as they cross paths with a drug dealer known as Alien.
Cringe Comedy
As a film enthusiast, I wouldn’t typically describe Spring Breakers as a “nuanced” or “subtle” movie. The humor can sometimes feel awkward and the characters could have been more fully developed, like in Anora. However, there’s an undeniable thrill and recklessness that both films share. Whenever the seriousness of Spring Breakers seems to overwhelm us, the film cleverly reminds us of its pulpy nature through some outlandish plot twists or absurd dialogue.
4 ‘Climax’ (2018)
1996 serves as the backdrop for the story titled “Climax“, which follows a group of French dancers preparing for their upcoming performance. Following an enjoyable rehearsal session, they choose to commemorate with sangria. Little do they know, the sangria has been laced with LSD, causing them all to descend into a dreamlike, hallucinatory state.
Time to Party
Initially, this appears to be the most distinct from “Anora“. Firstly, it doesn’t revolve around sex work. Instead, it presents characters that seem remarkably different from our everyday perceptions. It also underscores how one night of poor choices involving drugs and alcohol can lead to severe and tragic outcomes. If you were hoping for more club scenes in “Anora“, I’d recommend giving “Climax” a try.
3 ‘Hustlers’ (2019)
Hustlers is a movie inspired by real events, based on a 2015 article published in New York Magazine. After the financial crisis of 2007, Dorothy finds herself back in her old profession as a stripper and eventually becomes a mother. She reunites with an old acquaintance from the club, and together with other dancers, they devise a plan to swindle their wealthy patrons by defrauding them.
What to Look Forward To
This movie, jointly produced by Jennifer Lopez, boasts an impressive cast that includes Lopez, Constance Wu, Keke Palmer, and Lili Reinhart. Known as Hustlers, it tackles themes such as wealth, social class, and sexuality, yet presents them in a sparkling, entertaining manner. Many critics view it as some of Lopez’s finest performances, whether behind or in front of the camera.
2 ‘Tangerine’ (2015)
As a film enthusiast, it’s no surprise that another masterpiece from the brilliant mind of Baker would find its place on the list. In the movie titled “Tangerine”, we follow the journey of a transgender sex worker named Sin-Dee Rella. On this particular Christmas Eve, she discovers her boyfriend has been unfaithful, prompting her to navigate the streets of Los Angeles in search of him and his new companion.
Two of a Kind
In his previous movie too, Baker expertly mixes humor with intense drama. The film “Tangerine” emphasizes comedy more, but doesn’t avoid the grim aspects of Sin-Dee’s profession. It’s hard to predict if Sin-Dee and Ani from “Anora” would be friends, but they’d undoubtedly be two of the most fascinating individuals in any gathering.
1 ‘Zola’ (2021)
In 2015, there was a popular Twitter thread about an unusual friendship between two dancers from a strip club. This narrative is portrayed in the movie “Zola”. After crossing paths at a Detroit strip club, Stefani invites Zola to Florida with the promise of higher earnings through dancing. However, things take a turn for the worse when Zola finds herself caught up in a harmful situation involving Stefani, her boyfriend, and her pimp who demands more than just dancing from them.
Stripped of Safety
Both movies titled after their leading characters, “Zola” and “Anora,” skillfully blend humor and drama. Stefani’s character, with an over-the-top personality that approaches caricature, is convincingly portrayed by Riley Keough. On the other hand, Zola exhibits street smarts and toughness, but she’s not invincible. The audience remains on edge throughout, concerned for her safety as peril seems to lurk in every corner.
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2024-11-19 04:02