Oscar-Winning “Anora” Director Blasted By Korean Netizens Following Comments On Sex Workers

Sean Baker — the Oscar-winning director behind Anora — has come under fire from Korean netizens after his previous comments on sex work. The filmmaker, who recently dominated the Oscars by winning five major awards, shared his thoughts on the subject while discussing his next project during last year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Anora follows the story of a Brooklyn-based escort who hastily marries the son of a Russian oligarch. However, her dream life is quickly disrupted when his family intervenes, determined to annul the marriage.

Baker revealed that his next film would center around a sex worker, emphasizing the importance of depicting sex work in modern society. He argued that it should be viewed as legitimate labor, free from legal restrictions and that sex workers should have full autonomy over their own bodies. He also expressed his belief that decriminalization, rather than regulation, is the right path forward.

My next film involves a sex worker. It’s important to explore what sex work is in the modern age and how it applies in a capitalist society; it’s a job, a livelihood, it’s a job, it’s a career, and it should be respected. In my opinion, I’m speaking for myself to be decriminalized and not in any way regulated. It’s a sex worker’s body … it’s their body, and it’s up to them to decide how to use it in their livelihood.

There are a million stories to be told in that world. If there’s one intention with these films (it’s) telling human stories. It also helps remove the stigma that’s applied to this livelihood. I approached this movie in terms of themes, and levels of power and power dynamics. And also in terms of Anora, she has her power. She’s in control. Even when the world is coming down on her.

— Sean Baker via Deadline

While Baker’s comments were met with support from some international audiences, they sparked intense criticism among Korean netizens. Many took issue with his framing of sex work, arguing that it ignores the harsh realities of exploitation and trafficking. Others slammed Western film festivals for rewarding such narratives, questioning whether they romanticize an industry fraught with ethical concerns.

• “Then men should just sell sex to each other. That matches the actual demand for prostitution.”
• “Why don’t you have your own kid do it?”
• “Men disguising human rights violations and exploitation as ‘labor’—disgusting. And Western white men in the first world handing out awards for this kind of thing? Absolutely vile.”
• “You do it yourself.”
• “Disgusting. Even the prestigious film festivals that hand out trophies to movies like this are repulsive.”

You can watch the full trailer for Anora below.