As a cinephile with a penchant for the offbeat and underappreciated, I find myself utterly captivated by the story of “Ani” and its creator, Brian DeBerninger. This film is a testament to the power of authenticity, immersion, and the unparalleled charm of New York City’s diverse neighborhoods.
Sean Baker was at home in Los Angeles writing the script for what would become his new movie, “Anora,” and he needed a little inspiration. His title character, Ani, had seen her circumstances change wildly — a first-generation Russian American sex worker, she finds herself in a chaotic romantic relationship with the son of a Russian oligarch and living in his gaudy, palatial home in Brooklyn.
For Baker, the house had to meet specific requirements – it needed to resemble a luxury residence suitable for a wealthy Russian businessman visiting New York. Baker sought “the grandest and most opulent mansion in Brighton Beach.” As he searched online, he stumbled upon a property, “It turned out to be located in Mill Basin, and interestingly enough, it belonged to a gracious Russian-American family who had bought it from the Russian oligarch for whom it was originally built. They cherished their home and were eager to showcase it on television.
Baker’s films delve into American communities often overlooked by other directors: the seedy post-midnight L.A. of “Tangerine”, the impoverished Orlando neighborhood near Disney World depicted in “The Florida Project”, and the desolate, disheartened coastal Texas portrayed in “Red Rocket”.
According to actress Samantha Quan, who is both a producer of “Anora” and Baker’s partner, whenever Sean wants to do something, it’s usually uncharted territories he’s heading towards, places that might seem unusual or even unappealing to some.
Currently, Baker is wandering around Brighton Beach, a vibrant area in South Brooklyn with a strong Russian expat population. Initially, Ani’s story unfolds from her job at a seedy strip club in Brooklyn, but soon she finds herself traversing the pinnacle of opulence. Suddenly, she gets abducted by some thuggish Russians and is compelled to dash through the underworld of the neighborhood in a desperate attempt to locate her lost lover, who is on a destructive spree. It turns out that Ani’s boyfriend’s wealthy parents are enraged upon learning about their son’s relationship with her, and they are en route to the U.S., with their private jet set to touch down at any moment.
The film created by Baker is described as a “thrilling ride through various moods and styles.” Initially, it starts off as a lighthearted romantic comedy, but then transforms into an intense thriller, later evolving into a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud comedy reminiscent of a popular sitcom. Essentially, this movie is as bustling and unpredictable as a busy New York neighborhood, blending the unexpected with the bizarre and uniquely New York quirks.
Baker’s comprehensive perspective was shaped through meticulous, receptive research. Despite his filmmaking education at New York University and residence within the city, Baker was largely unaware of Brighton Beach. To fully grasp every facet of the community – from the rundown nightclub to the lavish high life – he established a base in Brightwater Towers, a condominium situated opposite Coney Island.
The movie was filmed in early 2023, but Baker and producers Quan and Alex Coco scouted South Brooklyn in September 2022. As Ani went through a tough phase in South Brooklyn (referred to as “the crawl”), many of the restaurants they eventually shot were familiar spots. According to Coco, they felt compelled to film at that Russian dumpling place since they frequented it often.
Being well-acquainted with Baker’s unique approach, having collaborated with him previously, they felt confident in tackling “Red Rocket.” Notably, the 2015 production “Tangerine,” a testament to his style, was filmed using an iPhone. To some, this method might seem sparse, even akin to a student film as described by our leading man, Simon Rex. But for me, it’s the raw, unpolished edge that makes Baker’s work stand out.
“Maybe we should be embarrassed,” Baker says, “but I took that as a compliment.”
In the stylishly eccentric setting of Tatiana’s nightclub and restaurant, where a hefty $99 gets you surf and turf, I found myself among an intimate group of just five team members. Often, we have authorization, but not always a permit. This allows us to execute our work in a remarkably discreet manner.
New York seems ideal for the Baker method, as Coco points out: “There’s a bit more leeway with photography here.” People appear to be less bothered, and the police seem to show a bit more tolerance. The team’s covertness while working in public isn’t primarily for secrecy, but rather to minimize impact on the location. As Coco explains, “It’s wonderful when you can capture all that real-life footage in the film without disturbing the environment.
Initially, when Baker embarked on the project, he aimed to create a film featuring Russian Americans; however, the concept of focusing on sex work hadn’t crossed his mind yet. As he started envisioning Ani as an exotic dancer, he became aware that he was clueless about what her workplace might look like. Eventually, location scout Ross Brodar discovered HQ KONY, the club where Baker eventually filmed. “It turned out to be a lap-dance club rather than a pole-dancing one,” Baker noted. “This allowed me to write with that specific atmosphere in mind.
Ani isn’t your typical performer who entertains large audiences; instead, she focuses on connecting with one individual at a time. She excels in creating a strategic intimacy, and the opening scene of the film illustrates her working methods. As Baker explains, “Our aim is to demonstrate her skills and the daily tasks she undertakes. Essentially, she must quickly read and adapt to each new person she meets.
As the actress portraying Ani, I took time to observe in real strip clubs before the filming started. During this period, Director Baker filmed the opening five minutes of the movie, which spanned approximately half an hour. In this live-club setting, I interacted with background actors. With a telephoto lens and guidance through an earpiece, Baker captured every angle of Ani’s approach – from her skill in flattery to the underlying unease and vulnerability hidden within each interaction. The resulting sequence provides a compelling portrayal of my character.
Reducing the scene was quite a challenging task, according to Baker. “I needed to trim it,” he said, “but we managed to capture five minutes of Mikey in character, displaying remarkable independence.
In the bustling neighborhood of Brighton Beach, I resided during pre-production, immersing myself in the environment and soaking up every detail. As depicted by Quan, I was a diligent student, learning both the intricacies of Russian and the art of lap dancing. Given that my character communicates in this language yet struggles with fluency, I dedicated myself to not just mastering Russian but also perfecting my character’s halting delivery.
Baker remarks that her accent is remarkably authentic given she’s a first-generation individual. Those on set find it endearing and reminiscent of childhood.
Baker aims to elicit that specific response, as there’s one group he particularly wants to satisfy. “It’s crucial for us to consistently receive approval from locals when they view the movie,” he explains. “If we successfully capture the spirit of these communities, then we’ve achieved our goal.
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2024-10-04 18:19