[Yoon Sung Eun's movie story] If "Cute Woman" comes to the real world, "Anora".

Movie Anora │ 2024
Director: Sean Baker │ Starring: Mikey Madison

* The contents of the movie are included.

▲ The poster for the movie "Anora".

Love reality shows are in vogue. Initially, the cast was mainly in their 20s, but now the cast has diversified from idol singers who dream of remarrying, singles in their 50s or older who are looking for their last love, and celebrities who have everything but have not met each other. It is interesting to note that the composition of the program and the screen differ depending on the performers. The program, which features people in their 20s and 30s who are outstanding in appearance, gives off the feeling of a photo shoot with the lighting and angle itself. Famous influencers or aspiring actors appear on social media, so every date scene looks like an advertisement. On the other hand, programs in which ordinary people appear emphasize characters rather than beauty. Although it may not be said that there is no devil's editing, sometimes the performers are criticized for showing the sudden situation and the facial expressions that follow. What is clear is that programs that have the raw beauty of exploring each other, such as mating of wild animals, are more popular than programs that put the beauty of the performers and the excitement of a close fling.

▲ A still cut from the movie "Anora".

"Anora" (director Sean Baker), which shines at the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, can be said to be a real-life version of the Cinderella story called "The Cute Woman" (director Gary Marshall, 1990). Speaking of a love reality show, it is a program where more ordinary people appear. That's the case with the actors. Unlike Julia Roberts and Richard Gere couple in Pretty Woman, Mikey Madison and Mark Eidelstein in Anora are both less recognizable and more visual. In any case, just as Vivian (Julia Roberts) met Edward (Richard Gere) while ranting in "Cute Woman," strip girl "Annie" (Mike Madison) meets Ivan (Mark Eidelstein), the son of a Russian wealthy man, for the first time in the business. Astonished once by Ivan's grand house, twice by who his father is, and three times by his blockbuster end-of-year party, Annie decides to be his sex partner and girlfriend for a week. Their jaunty play, a mixture of alcohol and drugs, dance and sex, leads to a sudden trip to Las Vegas, where Ivan suddenly proposes to Annie. Annie, as expected, accepts the offer and becomes Ivan's wife and returns to Brooklyn.

▲ A still cut from the movie "Anora".

Both works are based on a meeting between a rich man and a woman with sexual charm. However, if "The Cute Woman" ends with the (re)combination of Vivian and Edward, "Anora" actually begins with the marriage of the main characters. When Ivan's parents hear that their son is married to a prostitute, they severely reprimand the Armenian they hired, 'Toros'. It doesn't take long before you realize that you can't beat Ivan's family even if you use all kinds of violence, swear words, and cries as the Toros band storm Ivan's house to invalidate the marriage, and Ivan runs away alone. The most disappointing thing is Ivan, who was found in Annie's business after being drunk. Even after he is sober, he obeys his parents' decisions and makes insulting remarks to Annie. Annie not only gets neither money nor love, but only confirms her situation where she is not treated as an ordinary human being by the majority. Here, the movie goes beyond the story of Cinderella, who was self-destructed because of a false dream. His marriage to Ivan, who was in attendance, lasted. Even so, Annie would have had a greater misfortune. Anora is more focused on the existential concerns of sex workers and their relationship with others.

▲ A still cut from the movie "Anora".

If I have to pick one thing that gave 'Anora the Palme d'Or, I can mention the last scene, which is also the cruelest god in the movie. Igor, who was the only one of Ivan's servants to treat Annie humanely, takes Annie to the front of the house and then returns the wedding ring that Toros took away. After receiving the ring, Annie hesitates for a moment and then tries to have sex with Igor. Having never received a gift, she decided to give her body in exchange for a ring, as always. The film's bitter aftertaste comes from understanding Annie's consistent aggression toward Igor, not from the conclusion that there is no Cinderella in reality or compassion for Annie. Annie can't stand the kindness of Igor, who witnessed the most miserable moment of his life. The moment she accepts his comfort, the wall of self-esteem that she has kept is bound to collapse. So 'Anora' tells them until the end that it is impossible to communicate. It's heartless and sad. But if that's the reality, few works express as sophisticatedly as Anora.

■ Writing: Yoon Sung is a film critic (Dr. Young Chemistry / Director of Jeonju International Film Festival)