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I Grew Up on Brighton Beach. Anora Helped Me See My Neighborhood Differently

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I Grew Up on Brighton Beach. Anora Helped Me See My Neighborhood Differently

As a film critic who has been following the trajectory of independent cinema for many years, I have seen countless stories unfold on screen that resonate deeply with my own experiences. *Anora* is one such film that struck a chord with me, not just because it portrays the struggles and aspirations of its characters in an authentic and poignant way, but also because it captures the essence of a neighborhood I have known intimately – Brighton Beach.

I don’t know how to speak Russian, but I can understand it. This sentiment struck me like a surprise as I watched director Sean Baker’s latest movie, Anora. The line is whispered hesitantly by Anora (played by Mikey Madison), the main character who is both Russian-speaking and Uzbek-American sex worker, often referred to as Ani in a more Americanized manner. As her boss at a New York City strip club asks her to meet a new client, Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), a twenty-something son of a Russian oligarch, the line becomes significant.

This passage initiates a contemporary retelling of Cinderella, but with a grim twist: an intense romance between Ani and Ivan, often referred to as Vanya, delves into themes of power dynamics, security, love, and the Russian immigrant community in New York City (warning: spoilers follow).

It’s also a line I know well; I have said it more times than I can count. 

Similar to Ani, I hail from Brighton Beach, the Russian community in south Brooklyn, N.Y., which serves as the setting for Baker’s movie, set to hit theaters on October 18. And just like Ani, there was a period where I held an intense dislike towards everything about it. In the end, a hometown is still a hometown.

Set during wintertime, Anora offers a delightful exploration of various hidden corners within this neighborhood and its surrounding areas. Following Vanya’s decision to hire Ani as his temporary girlfriend for $15,000, they embark on a wild weekend in Las Vegas, culminating in an impromptu wedding. Upon their return to New York, believing she has finally landed her big catch, the happiness of Ani and Vanya’s marriage is swiftly dashed when his family learns about the union. In response, Toros, an Armenian man played by Karren Karagulian, along with his brother Garnik (Vache Tovmasyan) and Russian associate Igor (Yuriy Borisov), are sent to coerce Vanya and Ani into annulling their marriage. After a minor conflict, Vanya flees, causing the trio to chase him down, with Ani unwillingly joining them in pursuit.

In this place, I unveil the breathtaking Brighton Beach – a scene that’s not just a vibrant fusion of various cultures, once united under the shadow of Soviet rule, but also a reflection of the peculiar sense of alienation experienced by us, first-generation Americans, who grapple with our unique outsider identity.

16 miles away from Manhattan lies Brighton Beach, which has served as a refuge for immigrants hailing from the former Soviet Union since the mid-1970s, providing a new beginning in America. Among these immigrants were my parents who moved to the U.S. from Odesa, Ukraine, during the early ’90s following the dissolution of the USSR. After spending some time in another neighborhood in South Brooklyn, they chose Brighton Beach as their home when I began the first grade.

Similar to many first-generation individuals, I’ve never fully felt at home in one place or another—neither completely American nor fully Russian. My Russian language skills are pieced together from awkward conversations with family (them speaking Russian, me often replying in English) and imagined dialogues within my mind where I rehearse what I want to say in Russian before actually saying it. Rolling the R’s isn’t something I excel at, but I make an effort to do so.

For most of my childhood, I yearned for a change from this place. Particularly during winter, when the biting wind from the Atlantic coastline felt like it was freezing my thoughts solid. I wondered why anyone chose to stay here, and often complained about our inability to leave. I wished for an immediate departure, as soon as possible, expressing this desire not only to my parents but also to anyone who would listen.

As a cinema enthusiast, I find it intriguing how what one generation perceives as safety can transform into the next’s monotonous tedium – an insatiable urge to discard familiar surroundings like worn-out skins and blossom into something vibrant, alluring. This contrast is vividly depicted in the film, “Anora“. The perspectives of Ani, who yearns to flee Brighton Beach, and Baker, a native of Summit, N.J., are starkly distinct: while the former longs for freedom, the latter discovers charm beneath its flaws, appreciating its raw beauty.

In a nutshell, Anora’s characters are always seeking something fresh and exciting, never content with the status quo. Ani, as she prefers to be called, isn’t fond of being referred to by her full name, nor does she wish to remain in Brighton Beach. She aims to escape the stereotype of a neighborhood girl who stays put. Just like her, she too yearns for a change and is taking the necessary steps to make it happen.

Despite the urgency of the search party, Baker occasionally adjusts his camera slightly to introduce a sense of calm. This is evident when Ani strolls along the boardwalk towards Tatiana, the iconic Brighton Beach Russian restaurant, where she and her group believe they might locate Vanya. The sun casts an orange glow as it starts to set over the water, illuminating the boardwalk and making it appear endless. Along the horizon, a variety of colors emerge, even as the search party leaves the restaurant dejected, their heads bowed low, struggling to find what they seek, the wind howling against them. It’s another futile attempt, yet behind them, the sky flaunts vibrant hues of red, green, yellow, blue as night descends. Brighton Beach can be quite the dramatic performer, disregarding one’s emotions in the process.

What struck me most about Anora was perhaps her ability to illuminate things for me. At times, it can be astonishing when someone perceives you and your tale with more clarity or empathy than you do yourself. It adds a layer of depth that makes things seem less flat. This is exactly what Baker achieves with Ani, Igor (who develops feelings for her), and the often overlooked community of Brooklyn. Despite the humor in the film, Brighton Beach never seemed like a joke. Instead, it appeared to be in charge of its own storyline.

Over time, my perspective on Brighton Beach has shifted, and I’ve come to understand Baker’s viewpoint better. I’m no longer apprehensive about speaking my broken Russian. In fact, I’m growing fond of the neighborhood, even in its winter beauty. When the sky is clear and the sun shines brightly on the tranquil, glistening waves, it’s truly a sight to behold. The boardwalk, usually bustling during summer, now stands empty except for the elderly Russian women, bundled up in their winter coats (real ones), vigorously walking in circles for exercise. Manhattan is behind you; the beach lies ahead. I no longer resist this change.

In the final scenes of “Anora“, Vanya and Ani’s marriage is voided, leaving Ani devastated and helpless. Meanwhile, Vanya appears indifferent. Toros has once again found favor with Vanya’s family. As Igor grows more smitten with Ani, he tries to comfort her. The status quo has been reestablished; the affluent prevail, while the ambitious Ani, now without prospects, is brought back down to her initial position.

The movie ends with Ani, emotionally shattered from the events she’s encountered, settled in Igor’s car. In an attempt to find solace, Ani initiates a seductive move towards him. The scene unfolds with them engaging intimately in the front seat. Igor attempts to kiss her. Initially resisting, Ani eventually succumbs to her feelings, crying out profoundly, signaling that she has surrendered her resistance as well.

I can’t stop thinking about what happens in the moments after the screen fades to black. Or at least what I hope happens to Ani weeks, months, years after this. I hope she finds what home means to her. I hope knowing more about where she’s from feels less burdensome. I hope that stillness doesn’t feel like death, but rather, like a breath of fresh air. I hope the tinsel in her hair continues to sparkle when she twerks, like the sun’s rays hitting the sea water on an icy day.

I’m hopeful for her. For all of us.

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2024-10-18 17:07

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