Anora made a big splash at the Oscars, taking home five awards, including Best Actress for newcomer Mikey Madison and a record-breaking four awards for director Sean Baker.
The film follows the story of a New York stripper who falls in love with the son of a wealthy Russian, portrayed by Madison. She beat out competition from Demi Moore and expressed her excitement at winning the prestigious award, calling it a “dream come true.”
Baker also made history by personally winning four Academy Awards for directing, editing, writing, and producing Anora. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of independent cinema and the experience of watching films in a theater with an audience.
Other winners at the Oscars included Kieran Culkin, Adrien Brody, and Zoe Saldaña. The animated film Flow and the international film I’m Still Here also took home awards.
The ceremony also paid tribute to Los Angeles firefighters for their service during the wildfires that devastated the city. Wicked won best costume design, with Paul Tazewell becoming the first black man to receive the award.
Overall, the Oscars recognized a diverse range of films and talent, with notable wins for The Brutalist, Emilia Pérez, and A Real Pain. The event highlighted the power of storytelling and the importance of supporting independent cinemas amid threats to the theatrical experience.
