Anora featuring Armenian actors wins big at the Oscars

Anora, which features Armenian actors Karren Karagulian and Vache Tovmasyan, was the big winner at the Oscars, winning five awards including best actress for breakout star Mikey Madison, and a record-breaking four prizes for its director Sean Baker.

The movie’s 25-year-old star, Mikey Madison, was named best actress. The film also earned Best Director award for Sean Baker and trophies for original screenplay and editing.

“Anora” was made for $6 million, a tiny sum by Hollywood standards. It emerged as the winner in an unpredictable Oscars race that included papal thriller “Conclave,” Jewish immigrant story “The Brutalist” and blockbuster musical “Wicked.”

“Anora,” directed by Sean Baker, intricately weaves Armenian elements into its narrative and production. The film features Armenian-American actor Karren Karagulian as Toros, the Armenian godfather of the Russian oligarch’s son, Vanya. Karagulian has been a long-time collaborator with Baker, contributing to the authenticity of the film’s portrayal of diverse communities.

Armenian comedian Vache Tovmasyan plays Garnik, one of Toros’s henchmen. Tovmasyan’s casting adds depth to the film, reflecting the cultural richness of Brighton Beach’s Eastern European community.

The screenplay includes Armenian dialogue, marking a significant milestone as it won Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards – the first time a script featuring Armenian language has received this honour.

These Armenian connections greatly contributed to the film’s authentic depiction of the multicultural fabric of Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach, enhancing its narrative complexity and cultural representation.