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'Anora', Written, Directed By NJ Native Wins Best Picture At Academy Awards

"Anora" was the little movie that could.

Sean Baker (top left) with the cast of "Anora."

Sean Baker (top left) with the cast of "Anora."

 Photo Credit: Frank Sun/Wikimedia Commons, Frank Sun/Wikimedia Commons
Sam Barron

The movie, written and directed by Sean Baker, who was born in Summit and raised in Short Hills, was named Best Picture at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2.  "Anora" is about a Russian stripper who impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch, only for his family to try and get the marriage annulled.

"Anora" also won for Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Film Editing.

The film burst onto the scene at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival last year, where it won the Palme d'Or and racked up numerous awards leading up to the Oscars. It cemented its status as Best Picture frontrunner when it won the top prize at the Directors Guild of America Awards, the Producers Guild of America Awards and the Critics Choice Awards.

Despite costing only $6 million, "Anora" won over big budget blockbusters like "Wicked" and "Dune Part Two," crowd pleasers like "A Complete Unknown," and epics like "The Brutalist." 

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