Beyond expectations, Anora triumphs at the 2025 Oscars: director Sean Baker and actress Mikey Madison speak.
Against all expectations, Anora takes home five statuettes on the night of the 2025 Oscars. The most “noisy” is Mikey Madison's victory over Demi Moore (the favorite according to the forecasts). Director Sean Baker instead wins best director and best film. “We are all here tonight watching this on TV because we love movies. Where did we fall in love with movies? At the movies,” Baker said on stage at the Dolby Theatre in his acceptance speech. Mikey Madison was even more amazed: “Thank you so much, I grew up in Los Angeles but it always seemed so far away.” In the film, the 25-year-old actress plays a stripper who has the opportunity to change her life and aspire to something more when she meets the young son of a Russian oligarch. Their happy ending threatens to be shattered when the boy's family comes after them to prevent their marriage.
Anora and the importance of recognition for independent cinema
"Indie cinema has always been a genre that has inspired my work," explained Sean Baker, who had already amazed a few years ago with his 'little' The Florida Project. "In this film, we tried to insert social realism, but I think it focuses a lot on the truth and the people who need to be talked about." After saying "long live independent cinema", Baker said he was honored that the Academy has finally started to recognize this genre. "We came on board this project knowing that we must compete with projects much bigger than us. To be in the same room as films like Wicked, it means we have done something right. We feel very in line with other productions."
Mikey Madison was still in disbelief during the press conference, where we were present with Cinematographe. “It’s surreal, I didn’t think something like this would ever happen to me in my entire life. I didn’t expect it at all. Sean [Baker] is an incredible director, screenwriter, and a kind person. He has dedicated so much time in his career to tell real stories. He is a true independent filmmaker.” After the exploit at the 2025 Oscars with Anora, what future awaits the young Mikey Madison? “I don’t know what will happen,” she said. “I just want to continue making films with people who know how to inspire me.”
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