“Anora,” directed by Sean Baker, follows a Brooklyn escort who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, embodying a modern twist on “Pretty Woman.” However, their fairy tale faces challenges when his parents arrive in New York to annul the marriage. Starring Mikey Madison, the film boasts a lavish aesthetic reminiscent of “Euphoria,” blending vibrant colors with a 1970s cinematic influence. With its immersive narrative, “Anora” has garnered accolades, including the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2024.
A Contemporary Take on Pretty Woman
Anora works as an escort in a strip club located in Brooklyn. When she encounters the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch, her life dramatically shifts, resembling a modern version of Pretty Woman. Initially swept up in romance, she eagerly weds her Prince Charming. However, her fairy tale soon faces challenges when news reaches Russia, prompting the young man’s parents to fly to New York with the intention of annulling their marriage…
Directed by Sean Baker, known for his acclaimed work on The Florida Project, Anora stars Mikey Madison (Scream, 2022) and has garnered attention at the Cannes Film Festival, earning the ‘Palme d’Or du Festival de Cannes 2024‘ distinction. The film captivated festival jurors with its engaging storyline and striking visual aesthetics.
Resemblance to Euphoria
Mikey Madison’s portrayal of Anora features bold, eye-catching outfits throughout the film, ranging from vibrant bodysuits to luxurious fur coats. Her hair shines with pink highlights, and her eyes sparkle with sequins, reminiscent of the stylish makeup and fashion seen in the popular series Euphoria.
The film’s visual presentation also shares traits with the series. Cinematographer Drew Daniels, recognized for lighting projects like Waves and It Comes at Night and previously collaborating with Baker on Red Rocket, has a connection to Euphoria. He also worked on The Idol, another project from Euphoria creator Sam Levinson.
“With Sean [Baker], we aimed to capture the cold, gray atmosphere of a wintery New York that starkly contrasts with the bold reds and vibrant colors of the club and Las Vegas,” Daniels explains. This duality in atmosphere permeates the film, showcasing a palette of whites, blacks, and grays, accented by vibrant reds and blues in interior scenes.
Baker meticulously crafted a distinctive color palette and subtle lighting, complemented by choreographed shots.
Opting for a cinematic feel, the filmmaker chose to shoot on 35 mm film using anamorphic lenses, allowing for expansive wide-angle shots by squeezing the image horizontally and then stretching it for a panoramic effect. This technique results in unique visual effects, including oval background blurs and lens flares, creating striking bursts of light and halos in the imagery.
Much of Euphoria was also filmed using anamorphic lenses, enhancing its immersive and cinematic appeal.
1970s Aesthetic Influence
Sean Baker draws inspiration from the 1970s cinema, including New Hollywood, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese films. He incorporates the artistic styles and themes characteristic of that era into his work.
“Overall, I approached the film as an independent cinematographer from the 70s would have done,” shared Drew Daniels. We utilized natural light while capturing New York and Brooklyn’s streets. Notably, I was inspired by Owen Roizman’s photography in the films The Subway Pirates and The French Connection. Italian cinema influenced my use of zooms, while Jean-Luc Godard’s Le Mépris inspired my approach to color and composition.”
This blend of vintage and vibrant visual storytelling will resonate with audiences across different demographics.
Anora premieres in theaters on October 30.