What ‘Anora’ Gets Wrong About Sex Work

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In the realm of movies that feature characters engaged in sex work, such as “Pretty Woman,” “The Wrestler,” and “Hustlers,” the film “Anora” takes it to a new level.

Among all those movies, it is the one that managed both to secure the Palme d’Or and make a strong bid for the Oscar for Best Picture. Moreover, it stands alone as the film that, due to the precise craftsmanship of writer-director Sean Baker, received numerous accolades for its authentic portrayal of sex work. Although the storyline may involve magical journeys to Las Vegas and confrontations with Armenian gangsters in tacky mansions, the raw and emotional reality of the occupation has never been more accurately represented.

While many of us may hold this viewpoint, it’s important to note that most of us haven’t worked as sex workers. To accurately determine if the movie effectively portrays its intended message, it would be beneficial to seek insights from individuals who have firsthand experience.

This particular episode of The Watchers serves to critically examine and analyze various aspects. THR gathered three experienced sex workers to evaluate if the atmosphere in the club seems authentic. They discuss whether this portrayal signifies progress in representation, if a dance could potentially lead to marriage, if Ivan convincingly plays his character as a client, and if Ani delivers a convincing performance as a prostitute.

THR’s panel gives you a behind-the-scenes look.

The Anora Watchers

Cid V BrunetCanada-based stripper and author of the memoir This Is My Real Name.

Jacqueline Frances, famously known as “Jacq the Stripper,” was formerly engaged in sex work but now serves as a consultant for the movie ‘Hustlers.’ She has transitioned into a career as a stand-up comedian and filmmaker.

Tiffany Smith, a previous sex industry professional, has additionally gained experience in set decoration for films in Los Angeles, now employed in retail.

Let’s start with the strip club. It’s such a cinematic staple. Did this portrayal feel right? 

GAMER: I can’t help but be captivated by the vibrant atmosphere of a club filled with dancers. Every visit feels like stepping into a scene straight from a movie, where the opening sequence showcases the ladies performing for their audience – just another ordinary night in this intriguing world.

Some found it odd that Ani dined from a Tupperware, but to me, it seemed completely ordinary. The initial shot appealed to me; the pop-synth, the dancing – everything appeared quite fitting. The only aspect I found unconvincing was the portrayal of a fight, followed by the girls abruptly leaving their dance partners midway through. Personally, I wouldn’t abandon a debtor to watch a brawl.

TIFF SMITH The dressing room seemed authentic to me, but what struck me as implausible was the excessive crowd and abundance of money at the strip club. It made me wonder if such scenes are common in New York, though I’m not certain. Perhaps it’s worth a visit to find out.

I’m curious about realism in this situation: When Ani publicly reprimands her boss for not providing healthcare, is it common behavior for a dancer to address a manager in such a way?

BLONDE I’ve observed this occurrence before. Sometimes, it’s met with strong disapproval. The acceptance of such strict regulations enforced upon the female members can vary greatly among clubs.

FRANCES I recall being employed at Sapphire 60 in NYC, and they recently opened Sapphire 39. The manager led us on a tour of this luxurious new club, which we had contributed to by giving them half the cost, and I commented, “So lap dances are now $40, correct? Since we’ve been providing them for $20.” They didn’t appreciate that.

BRUNET In Montreal, prices have gone down. They’re $15 or even $10.

GAMER Man, it’s really frustrating! The film missed out on exploring a group of people who are being marginalized due to their financial struggles in this era of late-stage capitalism, which is often the reality for sex workers. Unfortunately, I believe the writer lacks personal experience in that field, hence the oversight.

How did the interactions with the customers in the club land with you?

In the montage where they discuss questions such as “Does your family know about this?” or situations like not being able to help someone because you need to find an ATM – it felt quite authentic. However, I didn’t notice any instances of rejection in it. The truth is that a large majority of people (75%) encounter numerous rejections and have others chosen instead. While she may be a magical newcomer, this isn’t the typical experience for most people.

FRANCES She persistently stood up for herself and often said, “Secure the deal, secure the deal.” In essence, every workday involves managing tantrum-throwing adults to earn a fair wage. I’ve found myself in some extraordinary circumstances just to claim my due, using any available strategy. It equips you for reality because things aren’t any easier beyond these walls.

Could you clarify the aspect I’m curious about? Specifically, I’d like to understand how a man transitions from being a patron in a club to hiring someone for sexual services at his residence.

In simpler and more conversational language, the statement could be rephrased as:

SMITH That abrupt scene at Ivan’s mansion, where it was suddenly “Here’s a condom, care to use it?”, took me out of the story. As an escort, your role is to create a desired feeling and maintain a fantasy for the client. Although the encounter is transactional, you must make the sexual experience feel natural. This sudden proposal interrupted the narrative flow, but overall, the depiction seemed accurate to my understanding of what escorting entails.

FRANCES Throughout my decade of working as a stripper, I’ve never come across a 20-year-old Russian oligarch. It’s probably happened to someone else, but typically when I encountered younger men, they wouldn’t grasp why anyone would pay for companionship. I’d respond, “Just wait until you get married and have kids. Then you’ll be rushing to the strip club. To spend time with a woman who appreciates you, who doesn’t resent you.” The men I encountered were usually married, exhausted, and craved someone to acknowledge them without contempt.

My Thought on Ivan: The word that pops into my head about Ivan is “ideal whale.” He’s almost the ideal client – until he turns problematic, which is quite unusual. It’s fascinating to see a client unexpectedly increasing their bids during negotiations. I’ve never encountered that situation before.

FRANCES Never.

As a fervent admirer, I deeply appreciate her tenacity. Instead of capitalizing on opportunities to demand more, she chooses to seize them. This is particularly evident during New Year’s Eve, where she stands firm on holiday rates. I hold her in high esteem because the art of “winning them over” when they’re smitten with you has always been a skill I’ve struggled to perfect.

FRANCES She didn’t doubt her worth. She was always bold in her actions. However, with sex work, there’s a constant fear that one might be rejected despite trying to appear worthy. It’s about power dynamics — they control the money and we require it.

Yet Ani reverses the leverage.

FRANCES So, I believe it’s not only a dream for men, but also for the dancers themselves to witness another woman successfully pull it off.

SHE’S JUST AS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE DISNEYLAND HONEYMOON AS HE IS When discussing their honeymoon at Disneyland, she shares his level of excitement and enthusiasm.

FRANCES And then we watch it blow up in front of us, blow up for her.

In a more simplified version: The character of SMITH is incredibly multidimensional, which means the aspects about her working at a strip club and engaging in sex work aren’t as important. We’re witnessing a completely developed character who happens to have a profession that involves sex work, but this job doesn’t define her entirely – that’s what authentic representation looks like.

Does the shift towards a deeper, more authentic connection remind you of the perspective often seen in a male gaze or the storyline from “Pretty Woman”? Was this your perception of it?

BRUNET I’ve noticed many girls maintain a relationship with clients by offering more than just the transactional “Pay me and we can interact”. Instead, there should be a personal connection as well.

When I engaged in the profession of being a sexual escort, I often found myself reluctant to invest my time into something that didn’t seem fruitful; I was quite focused on maintaining a business-like approach. Perhaps this is why I struggled with it. I wasn’t adept at making it more ambiguous, where activities like going shopping or going on dates lacked a clear purpose. This movie takes an extreme opposite stance and poses the question, “What if the extravagant promises he makes hold some truth?

BRUNET The idea of a person strolling into a nightclub and instantly rescuing a dancer by saying “I’ll take you away” and following through, is extremely uncommon in reality, perhaps occurring just 1% of the time. This trope is a part of the fantasy that something genuine can emerge from the club environment. The stripper is providing an escape from reality through their performance, but the customer is also participating in this escapism. It’s crucial for both parties to acknowledge this.

The idea of someone saving a dancer in a nightclub by saying “I’ll take you away” and actually doing it is rare. This fantasy suggests that something real can come from the club, but it’s important to remember that both the stripper and the customer are part of an escape from reality.

Yet Ani doesn’t.

FRANCES That’s because this is a Baby Stripper story.

BRUNET She’s so young and is making all these mistakes.

FRANCES This story serves as a word of warning for those in the stripper profession, but I often find that many films portraying strippers focus excessively on the “rescue me from this dreadful job.” In contrast, my departure from sex work was filled with sorrow. It wasn’t safe anymore because I had become too recognizable. However, it was heart-wrenching to leave. Other jobs can be equally unappealing. Now, I teach dance and earn $35 an hour. People have suggested I switch to real estate, but that idea seems just as unattractive. Ultimately, we’re all working under capitalism in one way or another. I found a certain pleasure in this form of work – the clients and dancers developed genuine relationships and cared for each other deeply.

Instead of asking “What’s the movie you’d like to see that improves on Anora?”, you could ask: “Which movie would you like to see that surpasses Anora in terms of its portrayal of sex work?” or “In your opinion, what film could potentially outdo Anora in its depiction of the sex industry?” Both options maintain the original meaning while sounding more natural and easy to read.

FRANCES I think it’s essential to understand the johns. If we aim to portray sex workers with empathy, we must also consider the clients as well. Not like Richard Gere or madmen, but rather as lonely, married men seeking companionship. A more Christopher Guest-style, everyday comedy approach would be ideal.

In the climax, Ani ultimately lets go of her relentless nature and confronts her past traumas, which are always looming in the dangerous world of sex work. I’d prefer a film that portrays this complexity, one that shows not just the allure of a stripper but also the emotional turmoil they experience.

Initially, this tale was featured in an independent January issue of The Hollywood Reporter’s magazine. To get hold of the magazine, consider subscribing by clicking here.

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2025-01-07 20:55