Author: Rasmita Jena

It’s not often that a movie about sex work wins an Oscar. If Sean Baker’s film Anora wins big this Sunday, it will not only take home awards but also gain respect from sex workers.

“Sean truly understands sex work,” says Casey Calvert, a porn actress and director. She’s busy shooting a scene in the San Fernando Valley, the center of the US porn industry. Eli Cross, a well-known adult film cinematographer, adds, “Sean is the only mainstream filmmaker who really gets it right.”

Sean Baker began his Oscar journey in this Valley, famous for its connection to adult films. His earlier work, Starlet, tells the story of a young adult actress who befriends an elderly woman. Unlike many Hollywood films that disrespect sex work, Baker’s approach has built strong relationships with sex workers, leading to Casey’s involvement as a consultant on his film Red Rocket.

Now, she and many others in the adult film industry are cheering for Anora as it competes for several Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actress. “It’s so exciting!” Casey says. “This could finally shine a positive light on our industry.”

Anora tells the story of a New York stripper and escort named Ani, who falls for a young Russian man connected to a wealthy family. Baker adds small details that show the real struggles and emotions sex workers experience. For Casey, these elements make it relatable.

Often, movies about sex work have negative portrayals, like the well-known film Pretty Woman, which presents a false fairy tale. Many in the sex work industry are skeptical of Hollywood’s representations. Casey says, “Most films about sex work don’t show us in a positive light.”

Baker intentionally avoids typical clichés, focusing instead on the real emotions and experiences of sex workers. He explores the stories of marginalized communities, making his films about their humanity.

Anora has already won several awards, including the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Festival. Baker has often credited sex workers for his success, and actress Mikey Madison used her BAFTA speech to promise to support them.

This changing attitude is significant in Hollywood, which used to resist discussing sex work openly. Some prominent figures, like Meryl Streep, previously opposed sex work decriminalization. The debate continues, with some arguing for protection against exploitation and others advocating for the rights of sex workers.

Siouxsie Q, a pornographer, said it’s “amazing” to see a film about consensual sex work getting such recognition. “We’ve made great progress,” she said.

However, the stigma against adult film remains strong. Many talented filmmakers in the adult industry struggle to break into mainstream cinema. On the set where Casey is filming, the neighbors were nervous about reporters lurking outside, showing the still-present fear about porn.

Sean Baker stands out as a director who casts real porn actors and genuinely connects with both industries. Casey believes that Baker’s success with Anora is crucial in breaking down barriers between mainstream movies and sex work.

Actor Ajith Kumar recently survived a serious crash while racing in Spain. This was the second major accident he had in just one month. Ajith is competing in the Porsche Sprint Challenge and runs his own team.

In a recent race in Valencia, a video showed Ajith’s car bumping into another racer. His car flipped over several times before landing on the gravel. Many fans are worried about Ajith’s safety. Thankfully, he was not hurt.

Ajith’s manager, Suresh Chandra, shared a post about the crashes. He explained that in the first race, Ajith finished in 14th place, which people liked. But in the next race, he crashed two times because of other cars. Suresh said Ajith worked hard and got back into the race after the first crash, but then he flipped over again in the second crash. Luckily, Ajith is safe and can keep racing.

Fans shared their thoughts online. Some believe he needs more practice before racing. Others were surprised he has had so many crashes. People expressed their relief when they learned he was okay, but many urged him to think more about his safety. One fan wrote that racing is thrilling, but nothing is more important than life and family.

Ajith Kumar is known for his recent movie Vidaamuyarchi, which did not do well at the box office. He will act in another film called Good Bad Ugly. Ajith has taken a break from acting for the past year to focus on racing. This is his first professional racing opportunity in over 15 years!