"Anora," Starring Karren Karagulian and Vache Tovmasyan, Takes Home Best Picture at the Oscars
The 97th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre was a night of big wins for Anora, the American romantic comedy-drama that captivated audiences worldwide. The film, directed by Sean Baker, not only took home five Oscars but also made history as the first film featuring the Armenian language to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Nominated for six Academy Awards, Anora secured wins in five major categories: Best Picture, Best Director (Sean Baker), Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Actress in a Leading Role (Mikey Madison). This achievement cements Anora's place in cinematic history and further establishes Sean Baker as a leading voice in independent filmmaking.
The film, which tells the story of Anora Mikheeva—a young sex worker from Brooklyn who unexpectedly marries the son of a Russian oligarch—has resonated with audiences and critics alike. Its blend of humor and heartbreak, along with its sharp social commentary, has been widely praised.
Beyond its artistic and commercial success, Anora has broken barriers for Armenian representation in global cinema. The film stars Armenian actors Karren Karagulian and Vache Tovmasyan and features spoken Armenian throughout. Its Oscar victory marks a groundbreaking moment for Armenian-language films on the international stage, bringing visibility to Armenian culture in Hollywood.
The recognition at the Academy Awards follows Anora's earlier success at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Palme d'Or. With this achievement, Anora joins a select group of films that have won both the Palme d'Or and the Oscar for Best Picture, a distinction shared by The Lost Weekend (1945), Marty (1955), and Parasite (2019).
Premiering at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2024, Anora was met with overwhelming acclaim, receiving a 10-minute standing ovation. The film’s success continued at major industry awards, securing wins at the Directors Guild of America Awards and the Producers Guild of America Awards before dominating the Oscars.
Sean Baker’s signature storytelling approach, which shines a light on marginalized communities, has been lauded for its authenticity. Anora's depiction of economic disparity, immigration struggles, and the clash of privilege with survival instincts has made it a defining film of the year. Critics have particularly praised Mikey Madison’s performance, solidifying her status as a rising Hollywood star.
With Anora's Academy Award victory, the Armenian film community celebrates a milestone moment in cinema history. The film's inclusion of the Armenian language and its global success pave the way for more Armenian stories to be told on the world’s biggest stages.
Following its theatrical success, Anora is now available for digital rental and will begin streaming on Hulu starting March 17, 2025. For film collectors, The Criterion Collection is set to release Anora on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on April 29, 2025.
