Anora emerged triumphant from last week’s Academy Awards presentation, winning five Oscars including best actress forMikey Madisonfor her performance as Ani, a sex worker who elopes with the feckless son of a Russian oligarch, only to find herself at odds with his powerful family and their henchmen. As in his previous films, writer-director Sean Baker shows generosity and affection for the marginalised characters, and especially for its heroine. Even when she gets roughed up, it’s played for laughs and you’re confident she won’t meet one of the sad fates of screen sex workers of yore, such as Louise Brooks as Lulu, stabbed to death in Pandora’s Box, or Vivien Leigh as Myra, who throws herself under a lorry in Waterloo Road.Madison said in her acceptance speech, “I also just want to again recognise and honour the sex worker community. I will continue to support and be an ally.” However, members of the East London Strippers Collectiveweren’t impressedby Anora. “We didn’t see any of, like, who she really is as a person,” said Maddie, who went on to admit it was a step in the right direction. “But if they had gone just a little bit further and said: ‘We need full decriminalisation now,’ that could have actually had a much bigger impact.”But if you want to see more about sex workers’ lives on screen you have only to check out the history of the Academy Awards, first given out in 1929. The original best actress award went to Janet Gaynor for her performance as the “street angel” in Street Angel, with Gloria Swanson nominated the same year for playing a “fallen woman” in Sadie Thompson. In the 97 years of the Oscars’ existence, best actress or best supporting actress awards have gone to actors playing sex workers 16 times, from Elizabeth Taylor in BUtterfield 8 to Jane Fonda in Klute, to last year’s winner Emma Stone, who has a jolly old time working in a Parisian brothel inPoor Things. And that’s not even counting the nominations for, say, Greta Garbo in Camille, Shirley MacLaine in Irma la Douce or Julie Christie in McCabe & Mrs Miller.Sixteen best actress or best supporting actress Oscars have gone to actors playing sex workersI haven’t totted up how many times women have been nominated for performances as, for example, architects or witches, but looking at the statistics, it’s clear that Hollywood has for decades acknowledged sex work as a viable career. Or just as viable as being a hitman, another of those “exotic” jobs its film-makers keep returning to. There are some films about sex workers’ lives that could be described as social-realist – Lukas Moodysson’s heartbreakingLilya 4-Everfrom 2002 springs to mind, as does Chantal Akerman’s 1975 filmJeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080, Bruxelles, which topped Sight and Sound magazine’s 2022 critics’ poll of the greatest films ever made.View image in fullscreenOld professional … Louise Brooks as Lulu in Pandora’s Box.Photograph: Ronald GrantBut such unflinching depictions are a long way from mainstream Hollywood, which prefers its sex workers portrayed as fairytale princesses who have fallen on hard times, exemplified by Pretty Woman, for which Julia Roberts, of course, was Oscar-nominated. It’s an aspirational blueprint: sell yourself on Hollywood Boulevard and you too can snag a millionaire. Having excised the dark elements and downbeat ending of its original script, Pretty Woman has been described as a modern-day Cinderella story.Anora, in turn, has been called the anti-Pretty Woman – though it still manages to be shiny and upbeat, with Ani showing the sort of smiling-through-tears resilience exhibited by Elisabeth Shue in Leaving Las Vegas.Why is the Academy so fond of sex worker performances anyway? Is it that they are considered courageous in a world that still looks down its nose at the oldest profession while pretending not to? Or are some male film-makers so unfamiliar with women from other walks of life that their most deeply considered female characters, when they bother to include any, tend to be on the game? Sex workers, mostly female but sometimes male as well, were a recurring feature of the New Hollywood in the 1970s, when the Hays Code had given way to so-called sexual liberation, and every movie brat except Steven Spielberg inserted at least one prostitute into their films.‘We didn’t see who she is’: Anora missed chance to spark real change, say sex workersRead more“It’s male projections of the kind of women they think they’d like. And for actresses it’s a juicy role, a stretch, a chance to be bad and desirable and rebellious,” film critic Molly Haskellsaid in the New York Times in 1996, the year of nominations for Shue in Leaving Las Vegas, Sharon Stone playing a former sex worker in Casino, and Mira Sorvino, who won best supporting actress for her performance as a dim-witted sex worker in Woody Allen’s Mighty Aphrodite. The rollcall of actors who have seized that chance is extensive, from Jodie Foster (Taxi Driver) and Kim Basinger (LA Confidential) to Charlize Theron (Monster), Anne Hathaway (Les Misérables) and Naomie Harris (Moonlight).Sam, another member of the East London Stripper’s Collective, says that, with more people entering sex work these days for economic reasons, “we are already in a culture where I think we are quite destigmatised.” Indeed, as the economy becomes ever more precarious, perhaps sex work will soon be seen as a career more viable than, say, journalism. Kudos to the Academy Awards for showing us the way.
Anora is nothing new – Hollywood has always been obsessed with sex workers
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Anora Wins Five Oscars, Sparking Discussion on the Representation of Sex Workers in Film"
The Guardian
7.4
TruthLens AI Summary
Anora recently achieved significant recognition at the Academy Awards, winning five Oscars, including the coveted Best Actress for Mikey Madison's portrayal of Ani, a sex worker entangled in a complex relationship with the son of a Russian oligarch. Director Sean Baker is known for his nuanced representation of marginalized characters, and Anora is no exception. The film navigates the challenges faced by Ani, who, despite her circumstances, maintains a sense of humor and resilience. In her acceptance speech, Madison acknowledged the sex worker community, expressing a commitment to advocacy. However, some activists, including members of the East London Strippers Collective, felt that the film fell short of fully representing the realities of sex work and called for more substantial support for decriminalization. They believe that while Anora is a step toward better representation, it could have made a more pronounced impact by pushing for policy changes that support sex workers more comprehensively.
The portrayal of sex workers has a long history at the Oscars, with 16 actresses having received nominations or awards for roles depicting such characters. This trend reflects Hollywood's ongoing fascination with sex work, which has often been romanticized or sanitized in mainstream films. While there are notable exceptions that depict the harsh realities of sex work, such as Lilya 4-Ever and Jeanne Dielman, most popular representations lean towards aspirational narratives, like Pretty Woman, which reimagines the sex worker experience as a Cinderella story. Anora has been described as an 'anti-Pretty Woman', offering a more complex view while still retaining a polished and upbeat tone. Film critic Molly Haskell suggests that such roles allow actresses to explore dimensions of desire and rebellion, making them appealing to both performers and audiences. As societal perceptions of sex work evolve, there is a growing discourse around its legitimacy as a profession, prompting a reconsideration of its portrayal in cinema and the implications for real-world advocacy and understanding.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent article delves into the significance of the film "Anora" and its broader implications regarding the portrayal of sex workers in Hollywood. It highlights the recognition received at the Academy Awards and the mixed reactions from the sex worker community, suggesting both progress and areas needing improvement in representation.
Portrayal of Sex Workers in Film
The article outlines how "Anora" and its accolades reflect Hollywood's longstanding fascination with sex workers. By focusing on the film's narrative and the character of Ani, it emphasizes a shift in how such stories are told—often with a blend of humor and empathy. However, it also notes criticism from groups like the East London Strippers Collective, who feel that the film falls short by not advocating for full decriminalization of sex work. This duality indicates a cultural tension in how sex work is perceived and portrayed in mainstream media.
Historical Context and Industry Patterns
The piece draws parallels with historical Oscar winners and nominees, showing a pattern where sex work narratives have been acknowledged but often through a lens that reinforces certain stereotypes. By listing past winners, the article suggests that while recognition exists, it often lacks depth and fails to portray the complexities of sex workers' lives. This historical context is crucial for understanding the current discussions around representation and advocacy in the film industry.
Public Sentiment and Advocacy
Madison's acceptance speech served as a platform to honor the sex worker community, yet the article captures the sentiment that more could be done. The mixed reaction from activists underscores a desire for genuine representation that advocates for significant changes in society, particularly regarding legal frameworks surrounding sex work. By highlighting this, the article encourages readers to think critically about the implications of such portrayals.
Manipulation and Trustworthiness
The article can be perceived as both informative and somewhat manipulative. While it brings attention to important social issues and advocates for better representation, the tone and framing might lead some to feel that it selectively highlights certain aspects to provoke a specific reaction. The trustworthiness of the piece hinges on its ability to balance criticism with acknowledgment of progress, which it attempts but may not fully achieve.
Societal Impact and Future Scenarios
The potential societal impact of this narrative is significant. It may influence public opinion on sex work and encourage further discussions around decriminalization. Economic implications could arise in the entertainment industry, as films that authentically represent marginalized communities might attract a wider audience and lead to increased box office success.
Support from Various Communities
The article seems to resonate more with progressive communities advocating for sex workers' rights and representation. It addresses a growing audience that values authentic storytelling and social justice, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in Hollywood narratives.
Financial Implications in Markets
While the article primarily focuses on cultural representation, it subtly hints at how narratives around sex work could impact related industries, including entertainment stocks. Companies producing films with strong social messages may see fluctuations based on public reception and advocacy efforts surrounding their content.
Relevance in Global Context
The themes presented are relevant in today's discourse around women's rights, social justice, and representation. As discussions surrounding sex work continue to evolve globally, this article contributes to the ongoing dialogue, illuminating the intersection of film and societal change. In conclusion, this article serves as a reflection on the progress and challenges in the representation of sex workers in Hollywood, calling for a deeper, more nuanced understanding of their stories while recognizing the steps that have been taken.