Anora sweeps the Academy Awards

Anora, the surprise winner of Best Picture at the 97th Academy Awards, has some indirect links to China.

At the Oscars held Sunday evening at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, independent filmmaker Sean Baker, 54, made his mark on Hollywood history, becoming the first-ever recipient of four Oscars in a single night.

His latest work, Anora, the story of a 23-year-old stripper living in Brighton Beach, a Russian-American neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, triumphed over major contenders.

Anora’s competition included the papal thriller Conclave and the highly anticipated musical adaptation Wicked, to claim Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing.

Another influential figure in Anora’s success who has drawn increasing attention is Baker’s wife and creative partner, Samantha Quan.

Quan, 49, a Canadian of Chinese descent from Vancouver, has long been a prominent figure in independent filmmaking, working as a producer, writer and former actress. When Quan was growing up, her father ran a Chinese restaurant, which she said was an experience that influenced her strong work ethic and her appreciation for diverse storytelling in global cinema.

As Quan took to the stage to accept the Best Picture Oscar on behalf of the Anora team, she reflected on the past 10 months as an “incredible, impossible journey” that led them to this moment.

“We made this film with very little money but all of our hearts,” she said. “To all of the dreamers and the young filmmakers out there: tell the stories you want to tell. Tell the stories that move you. I promise you, you will never regret it.”

Produced on a modest $6 million budget, Anora defied industry norms by leading all films with five total wins, including a surprise victory for Mikey Madison, a Los Angeles native who secured Best Actress over veteran nominee Demi Moore.

“We’re incredibly proud of this moment,” a public relations representative from NEON, the American independent film production and distribution company behind the film told China Daily.

Known for its keen eye for standout films, NEON previously acquired the US rights to Chinese director Zhang Yimou’s film One Second, showing a commitment to bringing diverse, compelling international cinema to American audiences.

Although the Oscars ceremony has concluded, its impact on tourism is only beginning. On Monday, the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board launched a new promotion in Beijing aimed at Chinese tourists, emphasizing the city’s strong connection to the film industry and its wide appeal to travelers from around the world.

The promotion highlights that Los Angeles is not only the heart of the film industry but also a source of inspiration for countless cinematic masterpieces. Film culture is woven into every corner of the city. The board hopes that more Chinese visitors will come to Los Angeles and immerse themselves in the world of light and shadow that defines Hollywood.