Filmmaker Sean Baker’s “Anora” emerged as the biggest winner at the 97th Academy Awards, securing five Oscars, including Best Picture. The film also earned Baker the award for Best Director, along with accolades for Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison.
The Red Lorry Film Festival has acknowledged the film’s historic success and will feature its big-screen outing.
Madison’s win was one of the night’s biggest surprises, as she triumphed over Demi Moore, who had been the frontrunner in the Best Actress category for much of the awards season.
Baker, in his acceptance speech, used the moment to highlight the challenges faced by movie theatres.
“We’re all here tonight and watching this broadcast because we love movies,” Baker said. “Where did we fall in love with the movies? At the movie theatre… Watching a film in the theatre with an audience is an experience. We can laugh together, cry together, and, in a time in which the world can feel very divided, this is more important than ever.”
Baker also warned about the decline of theatre-going, noting that the experience is under threat. “It’s a communal experience you don’t get at home. And right now, the theatre-going experience is under threat. Movie theatres, especially independently-owned theatres, are struggling,” he said.
“During the pandemic, we lost 1,000 screens in the US, and we continue to lose them regularly. If we don’t reverse this trend, we’ll be losing a vital part of our culture.”
His remarks were met with applause from the audience and resonated across the industry. As an independent filmmaker, Baker has been vocal about the importance of supporting theatres that provide a platform for new and innovative films.
“Anora” was both a critical and commercial success, capping a strong awards campaign with its multiple Oscar wins. The film had received six nominations, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actress for Madison.
Ashish Saksena, COO – Cinemas, BookMyShow and Festival Director of the Red Lorry Film Festival, spoke about the film’s inclusion in the festival lineup.
“We welcome patrons to catch the film of the year at Red Lorry Film Festival. With ‘Anora,’ we’re not just screening a film; we’re facilitating a shared artistic experience that simply cannot be replicated. As Sean Baker rightly said, the experience in cinemas is unparalleled. The subtle nuances of Mikey Madison’s award-winning performance, the masterful editing, and Baker’s visionary direction deserve to be appreciated in an environment that honours the filmmaker’s craft,” he said in a statement.
The Red Lorry Film Festival will also showcase other Academy Award-winning films, including “Emilia Perez,” which won Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldana and Best Original Song for “El Mal,” as well as “I’m Still Here,” which took home the award for Best International Feature Film.
The second edition of the Red Lorry Film Festival, curated by BookMyShow, will take place from March 21 to 23 this year at Maison INOX at Jio World Plaza and Maison PVR at Jio World Drive in Mumbai.
Also Read: Anora Shines At Oscars, Wins Best Picture And More
