From independent filmmaker to historic Oscar winner—Sean Baker's incredible journey
What's the story
Director Sean Baker scripted history at the 97th Academy Awards by winning four awards for Anora: Best Director, Editing, Best Picture, and Best Original Screenplay. He's the first person to bag four Oscars for the same film. Baker has been active in the industry since 2000 and has contributed massively to independent filmmaking. Let's take a quick look at his incredible cinematic journey.
Career beginnings
Baker's early career and unique filmmaking style
Baker started his feature film career with Take Out (2004), a raw and honest drama about an undocumented Chinese immigrant. The film, starring Charles Jang, set the intimate, character-driven narrative style that would become a hallmark of Baker's work. He subsequently honed his art further with Prince of Broadway (2008) and Starlet (2012), frequently working with non-professional actors to make his stories feel more authentic. The latter starred Dree Hemingway and newcomer Besedka Johnson.
Cinematic breakthrough
Baker's rise to fame and exploration of American subcultures
Baker subsequently shot to fame with Tangerine (2015), a revolutionary film shot entirely on an iPhone. His subsequent film, The Florida Project (2017), starring Willem Dafoe, was critically lauded for its depiction of America's hidden homeless through the perspective of a six-year-old girl. Baker continued his exploration of American subcultures with Red Rocket (2021), which follows a washed-up adult film star returning to his Texas hometown.
Career pinnacle
'Anora': Baker's most ambitious project to date
All of Baker's previous work culminated in Anora (2024), which chronicles a whirlwind romance between a Brooklyn sex worker and the spoiled son of a Russian oligarch. The achievement not only cemented Baker's position as a notable filmmaker but also marked his journey from low-budget filmmaking to global success and critical acclaim. It stars Mikey Madison (who also won an Oscar for Best Actress) and Mark Eydelshteyn and will premiere on JioHotstar on March 17.