Where Fantasy Meets Reality: Exploring the Oscar-Winning Anora

Do you remember the Cinderella story? I bet you do! Many of us have imagined ourselves in that role — with a charming prince recognizing our true beauty, taking us to his magnificent palace, and living together happily ever after. No wonder so many iconic movies keep repeating this heartwarming fantasy: we’ve seen it in Pretty Woman, My Fair Lady, Bridget Jones’s Diary, and countless others. Anora, a film that became a sensation at this year’s Oscars with as many as five awards, also plays with this narrative — but in a much more realistic way.

A Singular Vision: The Story Behind the Film

This comedy-drama was written, produced, directed, and even edited by one person — Sean Baker — which undoubtedly strengthened its cohesion. The film delves into the story of Anora Mikheeva, a stripper who falls for and soon marries the son of a Russian oligarch, Ivan Zakharov, meeting resistance from his family. The girl herself also has Russian roots — she lives in Brighton Beach, a New York neighborhood famous for its post-Soviet community. This is, in fact, why they meet in a strip club, as Ivan explicitly asks for someone who speaks his native language. Such an unusual setting underlines that neither ethnicity nor citizenship plays a more significant role in social hierarchy than financial status.

A Journey from Romance to Reality

The first part of the film, with its vibrant, warm tones and neon-lit club scenes, feels almost like a romantic comedy. However, as the story progresses, the atmosphere grows darker and colder, highlighting not only the shift in the plot but also the characters’ internal states. At times, the film features overexposed, imperfect shots with visible grain, making it feel even more raw and alive, while the unembellished portrayal of New York’s streets enhances its realism despite a seemingly fairy-tale-like promise.

Flawed Characters and Complex Realities

This sense of realism also extends to the portrayal of the characters. Unlike the iconic Pretty Woman, there is no perfect prince here. On the contrary, Ivan is depicted as so irresponsible and immature that one can’t help but wonder — is social mobility really worth ending up in a relationship with someone like him? Does social status truly define our personal qualities, as stereotypes have led us to believe?

Anora: A Dreamer Caught Between Two Worlds

Seemingly self-confident and wild-spirited, Anora embodies the desire to believe in fantasy as reality, taking the audience on an emotionally intense journey alongside her. Thanks to masterful cinematography and editing, this journey sometimes feels almost physical. The film is likely to resonate with viewers who appreciate deep emotional storytelling and carefully crafted framing.

A Raw and Intimate Cinematic Experience

At times, the camera captures the characters’ emotional reactions so closely and directly that it creates a feeling of exposure — almost as if you’re intrusively watching someone’s private life. Yet perhaps this rawness is where the film’s actual value lies — the authenticity of this tangled human drama, which is far too complex to be reduced to a straightforward, universally understood Cinderella narrative. This is precisely what Anora does: it shows how small details in a seemingly familiar picture can transform its overall meaning.