What is Mikey Madison's Anora all about? Release date, cast, trailer, and more 

Anora is all set to release on October 18, 2024. The movie is directed by Sean Baker and centers around the story of a young Uzbek-American stripper named Ani, played by Mikey Madison. Set in the Russophone enclave of Brighton Beach in New York, Ani is known for connecting well with her Russian-speaking clientele, and her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets Vanya, a Russian oligarch's son.

They quickly fall in love and elope, driven by their intense feelings and Vanya's fear of deportation. However, their happiness is short-lived as Vanya's parents arrive in New York with plans to annul the marriage, throwing Ani's new life into chaos.

The film explores themes of love, cultural clashes, and the challenges faced by those in the prostitution industry, so it will be a mix of drama and comedy, offering the viewers a look into the struggles of modern relationships and the struggle for personal acceptance in a judgmental world.

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When is Mikey Madison's Anora releasing?

Anora is all set to have a limited theatrical release on October, 18 2024. The movie made a big splash at its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2024, where it snagged the prestigious Palme d'Or—the first American film to do so since 2011. The film received a massive ten-minute standing ovation, showing how much the audience loved it.

Later Neon picked it up for distribution in North America and has set October 18, 2024 as the date for a limited theatrical release. The anticipation is quite high, and it seems like Anora is a festival favorite.

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Cast members and the characters they play

Anora features a dynamic cast that brings the film's vivid and gritty world to life. Mikey Madison stars as Anora, also known as Ani. She is a young Uzbek-American stripper whose life in Brighton Beach takes a dramatic turn. Mikey embodies the spirit and complexities of Ani, showing her struggles and dreams.

Mark Eydelshteyn plays Ivan "Vanya" Zakharov, the son of a Russian oligarch, and his portrayal of Vanya captures the character's conflict between familial obligations and personal desires. Yura Borisov as Igor and Aleksei Serebryakov, who plays Vanya's father, add to the tension and drama that cover the story.

Supporting roles include Karren Karagulian as Toros and Vache Tovmasyan as Garnick, who are both going to be a crucial part of the story. Darya Ekamasova plays Vanya's determined mother, who contributes to the familial clash that drives the film's conflict.

The film also includes performances by Lindsey Normington and Ivy Wolk, who play Diamond and Crystal, respectively, bringing authenticity to the setting of Brighton Beach, making the film's backdrop as important as its main storyline.

Sean Baker is the movie's writer, director, and editor and is well known for his focus on marginalized communities and human stories. In Anora he shows the world of prostitution with sensitivity aiming to challenge and reduce the stigma around it.

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Plot summary

Anora follows Ani who is a young Uzbek-American stripper in Brighton Beach, New York, and finds herself at the center of a cultural clash and a dramatic romance. Ani, who speaks some Russian, is popular among Russian-speaking clients.

Her life changes when she meets Vanya the son of a Russian oligarch. Their connection quickly turns into a romance fueled by their intense feelings and Vanya's urgent need to avoid deportation back to Russia. They decide to elope in a whirlwind of emotions, going on what seems like a fairytale marriage.

But their bliss is short-lived because Vanya's parents, determined to protect their family's reputation and interests, come to New York with the intention of forcing an annulment. The story moves forward as Ani and Vanya navigate the challenges posed by his family wrestling with their own desires, cultural identities, and the external pressures that threaten to tear them apart.

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Anora is set to release in the United States on October 18, 2024.