Sean Baker, director of Anora. “I make films about sex workers to change the perception of this unfairly stigmatized population.”

from Mandarin has Florida Project, American Sean Baker’s films have always had a special response in France. Last May, the Cannes Film Festival confirmed this love. independent film director received “Golden Palm Branch” Anora, a modern tale about a young stripper and a prostitute with a steely temper. Married to the son of a Russian oligarch after a week of drinking and a contract, she refuses to budge when her in-laws send henchmen to annul the union.

Deauville American Film Festival honoree Mikey Madison elevates this heroine who enforces her own rules and fights to avoid being seen as a disposable commodity. With this film, the director once again gives a voice and a face to sex workers, the marginalized population he continues to promote. Funny, uplifting and political.

Madame Figaro. – Anora This is your fifth film about sex workers. Why this repetition? ?
Sean Baker.– To change the way people view this unfairly stigmatized population. It is the oldest profession in the world, but our perception has not changed in any way. Preparing star my first film on the subject, I met many of these people. I knew nothing about their lives or the importance of professional ethics, which are fundamental to survival in this environment. Today, sex workers contact me to share their stories and allow me to reproduce them in the most respectful, realistic and responsible way possible.

Was it difficult to find an actress suitable for this role? ?
I was incredibly fortunate that Mikey Madison accepted right away. Samantha Quan, my wife and producer, and I are very attentive to atypical personalities. Back Once upon a time… in HollywoodQuentin Tarantino’s Mike did a strong impression, stealing the show from Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio in the final scene. And while we were getting ready Anora, we saw it again Scream 5. It is obvious. he has a unique physique and temperament.

Have you worked with an affinity coordinator? ?
We offered him, but he refused. I’ve shot a lot of intimate scenes and I’ve learned this. it is important to establish a bond of trust with the actors, to explain to them what will be filmed, to show the urgency if they want it. Moreover, in Anorathere is one main nuance that makes the exercise less delicate.

Movies about sex workers are often dark. Why did you choose comedy? ?
This is the DNA of my cinema. There are exceptions, but I have a hard time with movies that reject any form of humor because life is not without it. Especially among sex workers. it is also a means of survival.

What does your wife and producer perspective bring? ?
Samantha is an actress herself. his sensitivity and knowledge of the industry is very reassuring for actors who know that we will have a conducive working environment. A female perspective is also important during the writing or editing stage, particularly to avoid unconscious biases that can affect us all.

At the Deauville festival, you paid tribute to the defenders of independent cinema. Is it possible for you to remain independent after winning the Palme d’Or? ?
It will be even easier. This label, which is the most authoritative, offers me a kind of sesame, permission. This is valuable because, despite the luck I’ve had, it’s getting harder and harder to do freelance projects. Such a creation Anora will never be approved by the studio. They want big names to sell the movies and I don’t think in that sense. And then every plan of mine would be problematic because it was too sexual, too politically incorrect… They wouldn’t give me a cent or take away all my freedoms. However, I absolutely want to maintain my independence.

Sex workers today contact me to share their stories and allow me to reproduce them in the most respectful way possible.

Sean Baker

Despite the golden bridges they will offer you ?
Yes, but it is becoming more and more difficult to live independently of cinema. DVDs don’t sell anymore, only your paycheck keeps you going, and it has nothing to do with blockbusters. People think you’re a millionaire when you make a movie, that’s not true. I don’t need pity, but my life is far from the glamorous and manufactured image that Hollywood has imposed to the point of absurdity. A day for promotion mandarin I was taken to an amazing villa that I could never afford, dressed in designer clothes and laid in a 1965 Chevy… I felt like crap. Complete deception. I refuse to betray myself to please the studios. There are other ways to keep the pot boiling, like advertising, which also allows me to meet new talent.

Cannes you said :” Getting the Palm was my goal “…
I regret these words implying an idea of ​​strategy that I never had… I should have said “my dream”. If some ceremonies are based on box office and marketing, Cannes is a film affair, with an international jury, in the most film-loving country. I couldn’t dream of anything better. French films are of fundamental importance to me. without Eric Rohmer and Claire Danes, the way I make films would be very different. Maybe I wouldn’t do it anyway. I also love Bruno Dumont, Jacques Audiard and Catherine Breilla; 2023 Last summer was my favorite movie.

Anora, By Sean Baker, with Mikey Madison, Mark Eidelstein…