By keely aouga
Best Picture is one of the most desired awards at the Oscars, and the independent film, Anora, took home the prize this year.
This 2024 Sean Baker film became an international success, grossing $33.9 million on a $6 million budget.
Mikey Madison plays Anora, "Ani," a young sex worker who impulsively marries the son of an oligarch, Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn).
While working as a stripper, Ani is introduced to 21-year-old Vanya by her boss.
Initially, Ani and Vanya develop a sexual relationship, with Ani being compensated for their encounters. Over time, the two develop feelings for one another.
Vanya professes his feelings fo Ani, and the couple elopes in Vegas. Upon their return to New York, Ani quickly leaves the adult industry and moves in with her new husband.
However, this is not your traditional Cinderella-type love story.
When the news of their wedding reaches Vanya's family, his mother sends their henchmen to track down her son. She demands that they get an annulment and he return to Russia.
Ani is also offered money to sign the annulment, but she refuses it believing that Vanya would side with her.
Rather than siding with Ani, Vanya runs away, but he is eventually found. This is when Ani agrees to get their marriage annulled.
The film ends with one of the henchmen giving Ani the money that Vanya's father initially offered and returning her wedding ring.