Sean Baker’s 'Anora' sweeps 97th Oscars, secures Best Picture, Best Director
text_fields
Los Angeles: Filmmaker Sean Baker emerged as the big winner at the 97th Academy Awards, securing the Best Director trophy for his film 'Anora', which also claimed the coveted Best Picture award. The honor was presented by legendary director Quentin Tarantino.
In a highly competitive category, Baker triumphed over Jacques Audiard, Brady Corbet, Coralie Fargeat, and James Mangold, all of whom had films contending for Best Picture.
Accepting the award—his third of the evening—Baker delivered an impassioned speech advocating for the survival of movie theaters. “Keep making films for the big screen. I know I will,” he urged fellow filmmakers, emphasizing the irreplaceable magic of theatrical experiences.
“We’re all here tonight and watching this broadcast because we love movies. Where did we fall in love with the movies? At the movie theater,” he stated. “Watching a film in the theater with an audience is an experience. We can laugh together, cry together, and, in a time in which the world can feel very divided, this is more important than ever. It’s a communal experience you don’t get at home. And right now, the theater-going experience is under threat.”
Baker expressed deep concern over the decline of independent theaters, noting that the pandemic led to the loss of 1,000 screens in the U.S., with closures continuing. “If we don’t reverse this trend, we’ll be losing a vital part of our culture. This is my battle cry,” he declared.
He also directed a plea to distributors, urging them to prioritize theatrical releases. “Distributors, please focus first and foremost on the theatrical releases of your film. Neon did that for me, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said. Addressing parents, he encouraged them to introduce their children to cinema in theaters, fostering a new generation of movie lovers and filmmakers.
Baker expressed heartfelt gratitude to his mother for instilling his love for cinema, even giving a birthday shoutout. His speech also began with appreciation for Tarantino, crediting 'Anora' star Mikey Madison’s role in 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' as the moment he first saw his future collaborator on screen.
The victory capped off a remarkable awards season for Baker, which gained momentum after 'Anora' won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. With a theatrical release by Neon in the fall and widespread recognition from critics, Baker—who calls himself an “indie film lifer”—claimed top honors at the Directors Guild of America Awards in February before securing the industry’s highest recognition at the Oscars.
With IANS inputs