“Anora” is here.
Sean Baker’s comedy, Cannes prize winner, made $540,000 from six screens this weekend.
That’s a stunning $90,000 per screen.
“Anora” won the Palme D’or in May, and its star, Mikey Madison, is getting a PR push like crazy “Anora” is hilarious, recalling among other films “Pulp Fiction” and the best of the Coen Brothers.
Baker’s recent films, “The Florida Project” and “Red Rocket,” not to mention “Tangerine,” have built him up a loyal audience who’ve come to expect well made outrageous films.
What makes “Anora” such an unusual hit is that there isn’t a single recognizable name in it. While Madison has a little bit of TV and movies on her resume, she is largely unknown. The rest of the “Anora” cast is completely unknown. No names.
The comedy, shot in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, is a wild tale about a sex worker who falls in love with the young son of a Russian oligarch, moves into his house and marries him in Las Vegas. This doesn’t sit well with the oligarch, who comes to town to annul the marriage. It’s that simple and yet, because of Madison, that layered.
Watch for “Anora” — distributed by mini studio Neon — to get a bunch of awards nominations. It’s the indie darling of the season.
