Sean Baker‍‍`s "Anora" Wins Palme d’Or at Cannes

Sean Baker's film "Anora," a comedic yet poignant tale of a sex worker marrying the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch, clinched the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.

The victory for "Anora" signifies a major triumph for Baker, the 53-year-old indie director known for "The Florida Project" and the iPhone-shot "Tangerine." This win continues the winning streak for speciality distributor Neon, which has secured the Palme d’Or for five consecutive years with films like "Parasite," "Titane," "Triangle of Sadness," and last year's "Anatomy of a Fall." Baker accepted the award with the film’s lead, Mikey Madison, present in the audience at the Cannes closing ceremony.

"This has been my ultimate goal as a filmmaker for the past 30 years," Baker said, laughing. He added that his future ambition remains to "fight to keep cinema alive," emphasizing the importance of watching films in theatres rather than being distracted at home.

Baker, the first American to win the Palme since Terrence Malick in 2011 with "The Tree of Life," dedicated his award to all sex workers "past, present, and future."

The jury, led by Greta Gerwig, chose the winners. Gerwig, who felt transformed by her experience, praised "Anora" for its classical cinematic feel, reminiscent of films by Ernst Lubitsch or Howard Hawks.

Although "Anora" was highly acclaimed, its win was somewhat unexpected. Many predicted that either the Indian drama "All We Imagine As Light" or the Iranian film "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" would take the top prize. Both films received awards, with "All We Imagine As Light" winning the Grand Prix and "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" earning a special prize. Director Mohammad Rasoulof, who escaped Iran despite facing an eight-year prison sentence, received a standing ovation at Cannes.

Coralie Fargeat’s "The Substance," starring Demi Moore, won best screenplay. The Best Actress award went to an ensemble cast from Jacques Audiard’s "Emilia Perez," with Karla Sofía Gascón becoming the first trans actor to win a major Cannes prize.

Jesse Plemons won best actor for Yorgos Lanthimos’ "Kinds of Kindness," and Miguel Gomes took best director for "Grand Tour." The Camera d’Or for best first feature went to Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel for "Armand."

The festival was marked by significant events and discussions, from the #MeToo movement gaining traction in France to political references to the Gaza and Ukraine conflicts. The festival also honoured Meryl Streep and Studio Ghibli with honorary Palmes.

List of winners at the 77th Cannes Festival, as selected by a jury led by director Greta Gerwig and announced Saturday.

PALME d’OR
“Anora”

GRAND PRIX
“All We Imagine as Light”

JURY PRIZE
“Emilia Perez”

SPECIAL PRIZE
“The Seed of the Sacred Fig”

BEST ACTOR
Jesse Plemons, “Kinds of Kindness”

BEST ACTRESS
Ensemble of “Emilia Perez,” Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez and Adriana Paz

BEST DIRECTOR
Miguel Gomes, “Grand Tour”

BEST SCREENPLAY
“The Substance”

BEST FIRST FEATURE (Camera d’Or)
“Armand”

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