I feel very conflicted about Anora. On one hand as a sw it was really cool to see some representation in the mainstream but it wasn’t a fully fleshed depiction of what it’s actually like to be in those spaces and have those experiences. Sean Baker has this theme with his movies, depicting these marginalized communities and giving voice to characters we don’t usually see but at the end of the day it’s still coming from a cis straight white mans point of view. It’ll never be right. It does feel voyeuristic.
THANK YOU for speaking out about ANORA... I would argue Baker didn't even do a good job capturing the Brighton Beach weirdness... Why was that candy store a Ray's Candy ripoff? 🤔
All I want to do is go back to Avenue U and chow down on a dripping khachapuri and smoke a cigarette in the kitchen...get Baker to capture that!!! CAN'T!
just saw anora so coming back to read this and i fully agree. the second half of the film depended so much on tropes that i could predict what was going to happen, which isn’t a tell of my psychic abilities, but a show of the film’s lack of intrigue in the depth of its main character. i left the film like okay? 😭😩 it reminded me of zola, which wasn’t a perfect movie, but had a lot more to say and imo shiva baby has more uncut gems energy than this.
Nailed it! For a moment, I thought I was an idiot because I was the only one NOT laughing in the theatre…I couldn’t get on board! I think the actress has promise but they just gave her so little to work with…also I need to see Zola…and Shiva Baby! I’m like half a decade late…
I think Burberry should hire Daniella Westbrook and her baby (now an adult) for a campaign, their marketing was always at its best when it leaned into its Britishness and this would be A++ meta.
re: mall brands, it's sad because 00s-early 2010s H&M and Zara etc themselves had some great pieces that were far better quality than most of what they have now but in addition to the quality letdowns, from a design pov they've all become basically interchangeable.
the Donna Karan book sounds so great and obviously everyone on ebay knows it too, I once found a listing for the book with a screenshot of the earlier Neverworns post you did about it!
Ahhhh ty for the Anora review, I have been feeling insane abt the intensely hyperbolic praise! I watched it, some parts were fun, some parts I actively disliked ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ this review rlly hit for me, and prob explained why I liked hustlers more - i think mikey madison is awesome but not hot? but j lo in that fur coat is 🤑🤑🤑 forever for me so I will forgive all the movie’s sins
made my friends watch it a few months back as a “party” movie and was like ITS SO FUN YOURE GONNA HAVE A BLAST! 100% forgot how heartbreaking it is due to being absolutely blinded by jlo’s opening dance routine whoops
I didn’t hate ANORA but I thought it was just … fine? I agree that the setting and acting and world building was great but there wasn’t much depth. I also thought of UNCUT GEMS.
Haha. I think I totally agree with your final assessment but found the experience of watching it pleasant enough? What you said about American culture and artists being superficially obsessed with subculture and communities very smart: I got the sense watching the film that Baker felt sympathetic toward his characters but didn't really try to go beyond that, didn't try to really understand them.
I feel very conflicted about Anora. On one hand as a sw it was really cool to see some representation in the mainstream but it wasn’t a fully fleshed depiction of what it’s actually like to be in those spaces and have those experiences. Sean Baker has this theme with his movies, depicting these marginalized communities and giving voice to characters we don’t usually see but at the end of the day it’s still coming from a cis straight white mans point of view. It’ll never be right. It does feel voyeuristic.
THANK YOU for speaking out about ANORA... I would argue Baker didn't even do a good job capturing the Brighton Beach weirdness... Why was that candy store a Ray's Candy ripoff? 🤔
All I want to do is go back to Avenue U and chow down on a dripping khachapuri and smoke a cigarette in the kitchen...get Baker to capture that!!! CAN'T!
Time to rewatch Uncut Gems! Loved this Anora critique
Howie forever!!!!
I have to tell you this ‘Anora’ review HIT. You really nailed how I felt after seeing it, but put it way more eloquently xo
Thank you! I'm glad it resonated...this at least, not the film, hah!
It’s true, Anora should come with trigger warnings for pointless screaming and saggy middle syndrome
I wore an old Donna Karan Collection Nehru jacket with my Tibi sweats today to walk the pup - it made me feel fab🙃
Actually Donna Karan Signature ( I had to look at the tag)🙃
Love Donna! I was a total DKNY kid back in the mid 90's. She really was a pioneer in so many ways, and doesn't get enough credit.
A treat for you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uak_xykxriw
Awesome! Thank you so much! But now I want a fringe jacket!!
just saw anora so coming back to read this and i fully agree. the second half of the film depended so much on tropes that i could predict what was going to happen, which isn’t a tell of my psychic abilities, but a show of the film’s lack of intrigue in the depth of its main character. i left the film like okay? 😭😩 it reminded me of zola, which wasn’t a perfect movie, but had a lot more to say and imo shiva baby has more uncut gems energy than this.
Nailed it! For a moment, I thought I was an idiot because I was the only one NOT laughing in the theatre…I couldn’t get on board! I think the actress has promise but they just gave her so little to work with…also I need to see Zola…and Shiva Baby! I’m like half a decade late…
yes, i was like she’s good, but the script is not doing her any favors.
i just watched shiva baby this week, so you are not late at all!! lmk what you think of both!
I think Burberry should hire Daniella Westbrook and her baby (now an adult) for a campaign, their marketing was always at its best when it leaned into its Britishness and this would be A++ meta.
re: mall brands, it's sad because 00s-early 2010s H&M and Zara etc themselves had some great pieces that were far better quality than most of what they have now but in addition to the quality letdowns, from a design pov they've all become basically interchangeable.
the Donna Karan book sounds so great and obviously everyone on ebay knows it too, I once found a listing for the book with a screenshot of the earlier Neverworns post you did about it!
Burberry needs to hire you...to CONSULT! Daniella Westbrook would be so meta x fab and as the Brits say (do they?) take the piss?!
I actually knew someone who collected vintage H&M!
And three...if you ever find that DKNY/NYC book...and it's not 69696969 zillion dollars, buy that thang as fast as you can!
Ahhhh ty for the Anora review, I have been feeling insane abt the intensely hyperbolic praise! I watched it, some parts were fun, some parts I actively disliked ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ this review rlly hit for me, and prob explained why I liked hustlers more - i think mikey madison is awesome but not hot? but j lo in that fur coat is 🤑🤑🤑 forever for me so I will forgive all the movie’s sins
https://open.substack.com/pub/clarefromlb/p/sean-baker-we-are-overthinking-this?r=6fp&utm_medium=ios
Hah! Hustlers was great...Jlo forever. PS. I'm reading that link...thanks!
made my friends watch it a few months back as a “party” movie and was like ITS SO FUN YOURE GONNA HAVE A BLAST! 100% forgot how heartbreaking it is due to being absolutely blinded by jlo’s opening dance routine whoops
Pulling out my scarf, now 🧣
I didn’t hate ANORA but I thought it was just … fine? I agree that the setting and acting and world building was great but there wasn’t much depth. I also thought of UNCUT GEMS.
Gah! I wish I could say fine! I wanted to leave 30 minutes in. But also I want to rewatch uncut gems now...so there's that!
Haha. I think I totally agree with your final assessment but found the experience of watching it pleasant enough? What you said about American culture and artists being superficially obsessed with subculture and communities very smart: I got the sense watching the film that Baker felt sympathetic toward his characters but didn't really try to go beyond that, didn't try to really understand them.
that movie was shit
Let’s be real diva, the only reason we all watched Anora was for that sexy bald Slavic man
The ladies lusting after that man’s sheared-off orb…!