Sean Baker was the guest on honor at the 38th edition of Cinema Jove in Valencia. Based on what I’m reading, he’s not very happy with the way freedom of speech and creativity is being stifled in American film.
American cinema has become more reactionary. Anything that can be described as minimally controversial now need to be commented on. People talk about it, videos get made on TikTok. And it bothers me, because the discussion turns to anger and defense. Or turns into attack, not argument […] There is young talent that is unable to express itself freely for fear of backlash […]
He went to tackle the ways by which a "film is discussed" these days, with studio execs “increasingly taking any opinion into account. And suddenly, the story of a relationship with a big age gap, like Red Rocket or Licorize Pizza, becomes problematic. That's where censorship begins."
Hey, if you’ve been reading this site for long enough time then you know that we agree with what Baker is saying here. There is definitely a lot of fear going on right now in how movies get written and made in the U.S.. There’s only a few brave filmmakers willing to take the risks involved.
He also confirmed what we’ve been reporting since March, that he wrapped shooting what will be his eighth feature film, this one about a sex worker as the protagonist and set in an upscale part of New York. Baker shot and completed this movie back in March.
“Anora” is the title and no one will be able to really remember the name until they see the movie. After seeing it, it’ll be impossible for them to forget it.
It's my biggest production to date, although that's not to say it's too big. It cost a little more than 'The Florida Project' and in terms of theme it follows the line of my previous films. It's a story about a sex worker, but the tone is closer to comedy.
Baker describes “Anora” as "an adventure comedy-drama", shot on location in Las Vegas and New York and which, for the first time in his career, follows wealthy people. The film was also shot in a “cleaner ‘70s cinema aesthetic.”
I had originally described the film as a “love story” that takes place in Upstate New York with some stuff shot in Vegas. No plot details were mentioned to me except that it was a two-month shoot. I’m sure we’ll be learning more about this one sooner rather later, although I’ve also been told that it’s very much a 2024 release.
Here’s another scoop I got: the lead is said to be an unknown Lithuanian actor.
There’s a fascinating movement going on in American indie cinema. Sean Baker and the Safdies are creating what I like to call “Gutter Poetry,” cinema out of the American middle and lower class. It’s resulted in some great films these last few years.
It is with a sense of freedom, freshness and energy that, in Baker’s mise-en-scenes, from the camera to the non-professional actors, his films map contemporary America in such illuminating fashion.
With his last three films, “Tangerine,” “The Florida Project” and Red Rocket,” Baker has cemented his status as one of the best working American directors today.