On Sunday evening, the honor of best director carried with it the prestigious accolade of a maiden directing Oscar, yet none among the nominees had toiled with quite the unwavering dedication of Sean Baker, the visionary mind behind "Anora." By clinching the Oscars for direction, original screenplay, film editing, and best picture (in his capacity as producer), Baker tied an esteemed record, matching the tally of an illustrious figure who had achieved the same feat in a single year—Walt Disney, who garnered four awards across four diverse films in 1954, albeit few of those films resonate deeply in contemporary memory.
"Anora," a modern-day Cinderella tale that shines a spotlight on pressing issues such as class, immigration, and global capitalism through the narrative of a stripper who, in a moment of desperation, accepts money for companionship, embodies the essence of Baker's cinematic oeuvre in myriad ways. Much like several of his earlier endeavors, notably "Tangerine" (2015) and "The Florida Project" (2017), it masterfully intertwines comedy with drama, portrays sex workers with empathy, and abundantly features non-professional actors.
Yet, "Anora" marked a pivotal moment in Baker's journey towards mainstream acclaim. Almost a year prior, the film triumphed at the Cannes Film Festival, capturing the prestigious Palme d'Or. More recently, it has garnered top honors from both directors' and producers' guilds. And on Sunday, the film's leading lady, Mikey Madison, was honored with the Oscar for Best Actress.
In a field teeming with talented directors, including Jacques Audiard for "Emilia Pérez," Brady Corbet for "The Brutalist," Coralie Fargeat for "The Substance," and James Mangold for "A Complete Unknown," Baker emerged victorious.
