As a long-time film enthusiast who has had the privilege of witnessing some truly remarkable cinematic journeys, I must say that Sean Baker and Mikey Madison have left an indelible mark on my heart with their latest masterpiece, “Anora”. The duo’s appearance at the Neon-organized screening in London was a testament to their unwavering dedication and passion for storytelling.
Sean Baker, the director, and Mikey Madison, the leading actress, maintained their status as favorites at this year’s film festivals, captivating audiences during a screening organized by Neon in London on Thursday night. At this event, they graciously shared their thoughts and behind-the-scenes insights with an eager crowd, discussing their critically acclaimed film “Anora“. This movie is part of the selection for the 68th edition of the British Film Institute (BFI) London Film Festival (LFF).
For five consecutive years at Cannes, Neon has taken home the top prize with a zany comedy-drama titled “Anora.” In this film, Madison (known for roles in “Scream” and “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood”) portrays the lead character, a sex worker residing in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, who becomes embroiled with the son of a Russian oligarch, played by Mark Eidelstein. Following its premiere at Cannes, “Anora” continued to be showcased at festivals such as Telluride, Toronto, and San Sebastián.
According to The Hollywood Reporter’s assessment, Madison delivers an exceptional performance as Anora. They note that she portrays Anora with a tender sweetness that brings authenticity to the most business-like scenarios, yet possesses a wariness that becomes formidable when she feels endangered.
On Thursday night, a screening of the movie took place at the Ham Yard Hotel in London, preceding three consecutive sold-out showings during the London Film Festival beginning on Friday. Following this showing, there was a question-and-answer session featuring Madison and Baker.
In this piece, they discussed the method of filming sexual scenes. When queried about whether the team employed intimacy coordinators, Baker responded: “No, we didn’t. I believe it’s crucial for an actor to have that choice. Naturally, we provided both Mikey and Mark [Eidelstein] with that option. However, I have directed sex-related themes throughout my career, so I felt confident in handling it, and as a producer on my film, the primary concern is always the safety and comfort of the actors. By the time we started shooting, I think we were so comfortable that it was treated in such a professional, medical manner. There was no improvisation involved. We prefer to label them as ‘sex shots’ rather than ‘sex scenes,’ as they are carefully planned and executed.
I eagerly joined the discussions, delving deep into every scene’s intricacies, imagining how they would unfold visually. Sean, along with his wife and producing partner, Sammy, would meticulously choreograph these visualizations on screen.
Baker revealed that Madison demonstrated an impressive dedication and educational background by undergoing multiple months of pole-dancing training for a relatively small amount of screen time in the movie. The lead actress disclosed that she followed dancers and conducted extensive research into sex work, exploring its aspects. Additionally, she mentioned reading memoirs sent to her, watching documentaries, and consulting with experts brought onto the project. One of the main consultants, named Andrea, wrote a powerful memoir titled “Modern Whore“, which she found captivating and fascinating.
She took her commitment a step further, as she shared: “I arrived in New York a month ahead of schedule to reside in Brighton Beach. This allowed me to delve deeper into the community and perfect my accent.
Inquired concerning the finale of “Anora“, Baker expressed that he had decided on it from the beginning and appreciates its enigmatic nature. “Personally, I prefer determining the conclusion prior to commencing my writing,” he stated.
Apart from sharing this, Baker mentioned that he penned a concluding chapter, but chose to keep it private. He remarked, “It’s intended for the actors,” and hinted that he would leave it up to them to determine its credibility.
Discussing the sequence of events in the movie Anora, the director emphasized that it’s like a thrilling rollercoaster ride, blending various genres and styles, initially adhering to a typical Hollywood romantic comedy structure. When asked if any dialogue in the film was reminiscent of Pretty Woman, Baker admitted he hadn’t watched that movie for a while, but graciously accepted the comparison after giving a smile.
The opening of the movie was also a topic of debate, with Baker lauding Madison’s great work in various conversations and interactions in a gentlemen’s club. “I shot that in a docu-style way, relying on improv from Mikey,” he said. “She basically set up the film” and her character there. And he shared that “I had Robert Altman on my mind” in crafting the opening sequence.
In typical fashion, Baker opted for stealthy filming during the production of Anora. He secretly sent cast members into restaurants to inquire about a fictitious character’s whereabouts, aiming to capture genuine reactions from unsuspecting diners. Later, he revealed to the restaurant patrons that they had been filmed for an independent film and handed them consent and release forms. Excited by the authentic responses he obtained, Baker remarked, “We struck gold.
In his fifth movie, Anora serves as Baker’s platform for delving into diverse facets of the sex trade. However, he consistently underlines the importance of adopting unique perspectives. “I strive to view each character as a distinct individual,” he explained.
At the festival, Baker kept everyone laughing with a story about one of his films. He shared that his first movie, which he screened at the London Film Festival and considered one of the best viewings of his life, was titled “Starlet“. During the question-and-answer session, he had his dog by his side, and even those who weren’t fond of the film were won over by the adorable canine.
The filmmaker mentioned that he and Madison have a desire to collaborate on a project again in the future, but as of now, nothing has been set about his upcoming film. Baker added, “We haven’t even begun brainstorming our next concept yet.
Neon’s movie “Anora” will debut in the U.S. on October 18 and then head to Sweden for the opening of the 2024 Stockholm Film Festival on November 6.
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2024-10-11 02:25