For a film about sex work to win an Oscar is rare. But for it to earn the respect of sex workers, that’s even rarer. If Sean Baker’s Anora wins big at the Academy Awards next Sunday, as many expect, it will have done both.
“Sean gets sex work. He just does,” says porn actress and director Casey Calvert, who is busy preparing to film a scene in the San Fernando Valley. “He’s the only mainstream filmmaker who gets it right—and actually cares about getting it right,” adds Eli Cross, an adult film veteran who works as a cinematographer on set.
Baker’s journey to the Oscars began in the San Fernando Valley, known as the hub of the U.S. porn industry. This is where he shot Starlet, a low-budget film about a young adult actress and an unlikely friendship with an elderly widow. His honest portrayal of the porn world, often misrepresented by Hollywood, earned him the respect of many in the adult industry, including Calvert. She later worked as a paid consultant on his film Red Rocket and is one of many sex workers cheering on Anora as it competes for multiple Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison.
“I’m so excited, I can barely think about it,” says Calvert. “It would feel like this industry I love is finally being recognized in a way it never has before.”
A Film That Gets It Right
Anora follows Ani, a New York stripper and escort, as she becomes involved in a whirlwind romance with a young Russian customer who turns out to be the son of a powerful oligarch. True to Baker’s style, the film is full of subtle details that reflect the reality of sex work, details that many casual viewers may overlook. For example, the bruises on Ani’s legs from pole dancing or the way she licks her fingers before starting a sex act. “It’s such a sex worker thing to do,” says Calvert.
Sex workers don’t usually expect Hollywood to portray their lives authentically. Historically, films like Pretty Woman have served up sanitized versions of prostitution, often turning it into a fairy tale. “The sex work industry is really skeptical of films about sex work,” says Calvert. “Hollywood has made a lot of movies that paint prostitution in a negative light.”
After the world premiere of Anora, Baker explained that he intentionally avoided the “hooker with a heart of gold” clichés. For Calvert, Baker’s films stand out because they aren’t about the sex work itself—they focus on the struggles, emotions, and humanity of people who just happen to do sex work. “It’s not about the taboo of sex. It’s about exploring a marginalized community,” she says.
A Milestone for Sex Work Representation
Anora has already won major awards, including the Palme d’Or at Cannes, as well as recognition from Hollywood’s directors, writers, and critics. Baker has always credited sex workers for his success, and Mikey Madison even used her BAFTA acceptance speech to express her support, calling herself “an ally.”
These remarks would have been controversial just a decade ago, but now they reflect a significant shift in Hollywood. In the past, big-name figures like Meryl Streep opposed the decriminalization of sex work. But attitudes are changing. Advocates for sex workers argue that a regulated industry would offer better protection, while opponents warn of criminal exploitation and trafficking.
Siouxsie Q, a pornographer, celebrated Anora’s portrayal of “consensual adult sex work,” calling it “amazing” that a film like this was receiving mainstream recognition. “We’ve come a long way,” she says.
Breaking Down Barriers
Despite the progress, Calvert points out that there is still a strong stigma around pornography. Many talented adult filmmakers still struggle to transition into mainstream Hollywood work. On the set where AFP visited, Calvert was directing a scene for an adult film in a suburban house, a stark contrast to the glamorous image Hollywood often portrays. Neighbors were so wary of the filming that they chased away reporters trying to capture footage of the shoot.
Baker is one of the rare mainstream directors who casts real porn actors in his films and is genuinely friends with many people in both industries. “That’s a huge reason why Anora’s critical success is so important,” says Calvert. “Baker is helping break down the barriers between the two worlds.”
As Anora heads into the Oscars, it’s clear that Sean Baker’s unique approach is creating a new path for both filmmakers and sex workers to be recognized in ways they’ve never been before.
