Palme d’Or of the 77th edition, “Anora” by Sean Baker sees the consecration of an escort girl among the oligarchs

The supreme award of the Festival awarded to “Anora” on Saturday May 25 surprised many festival-goers while delighting some of the critics, touched by the film.

The entire Croisette said the jury chaired by Greta Gerwig was unpredictable. This is what was verified on Saturday May 25 when the American actress, screenwriter and director announced that the Palme d’Or had been awarded to the film Anora by Sean Baker.

The 53-year-old director was the first surprised at this announcement. Came in 2017 to Cannes for Florida project presented at the Directors’ Fortnight and returned in 2021 for Red Rocket in competition, it is for him today the consecration.

Anora (Mikey Madison) is an escort girl in a third-rate club. One evening of drinking, Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a rich Russian oligarch, pushes open the door of the establishment. Having some knowledge of Russian due to his origins, he is entrusted with the client. They meet again, and Anora discovers easy money and a world of luxury. But Vanya is monitored by the Orthodox priest at the request of his parents who do not look favorably on this relationship which is becoming serious: things will soon go off the rails.

The screenplay and the eye of Sean Baker take unexpected sideways which, by taking the side of the heroine, mock an America corrupted by money, opportunistic religious people and the complacent and contemptuous ultra-rich. It’s an entire idealized world that gets its due.

Located in the Russian-speaking community of Coney Island, Anora depicts a mafia world, with nighttime trips and races in a New York populated by sinister henchmen. Sean Baker thus revisits in a second degree classic figures of American cinema that he loves. The film also touches on sexual themes, particularly present this year at Cannes.

This slightly provocative Palme d’Or is the antithesis of the glamor and glitter of Cannes. In absolute terms, the film is, in our eyes, secondary to the beautiful works that more than one festival-goer hoped to see in the prize list. A Palme d’Or which confirms the persistent disagreement at each Festival between the jury and the critics. The important thing is that the public will find it there when the film hits the screens.

Gender : Drama
Director : Sean Baker
Actors: Mikey Madison, Mark Eidelstein, Yuriy Borisov
Country : UNITED STATES
Duration : 2h28
Exit : Shortly
Distributer : The pact
Synopsis: Anora, a young stripper from Brooklyn, transforms into a modern-day Cinderella when she meets the son of a Russian oligarch.
Without thinking, she enthusiastically marries her prince charming; but when the news reaches Russia, the fairy tale is quickly threatened: the young man’s parents leave for New York with the firm intention of having the marriage annulled…