Movies

‘I want to do characters that are better than me’: Yura Borisov on his Oscar nomination for ‘Anora’

BBG News

In a modern twist on the classic tale of Cinderella, Anora serves as the story, and actor Yura Borisov embodies the role of her Prince Charming. However, his initial appearance on screen is far from regal, instead he enters quietly and with keen observation.

In the movie, Borisov’s character is Igor, a strongman hired to help resolve a tricky situation. This arises when Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), the careless heir of a Russian tycoon, spontaneously ties the knot with Anora, a New York stripper (played by Mikey Madison). It is Igor who starts to perceive Anora differently, recognizing that beneath her tough facade lies a soft and vulnerable heart. Interestingly, this realization also applies to Igor himself.

Borisov, 32, expressed during a Zoom call on Thursday from his Moscow home, “He’s just human to me.” However, he aspires for his characters to surpass himself and offer something beneficial to humanity, instilling hope. Thus, he admires Igor deeply, viewing him as a guiding light.

Awards

For the 97th Academy Awards taking place on March 2nd next year, the nominees have been unveiled. Here’s a look at who made it to the 2025 Oscars shortlist.

On Thursday, “Anora” was honored with six Oscar nominations across various categories: directing, original screenplay, editing (all credited to Sean Baker), lead actress for Madison, and supporting actor for Borisov. Additionally, Borisov’s nomination marks a significant milestone as he becomes the first Russian actor to be nominated in a performing category by the Academy Awards since Mikhail Baryshnikov was recognized in 1978 for “Turning Point.

Last year at the Cannes Film Festival, “Anora” clinched the Palme d’Or upon its debut. Interestingly enough, it was during that same festival in 2021 where director Baker first encountered Borisov in a different production. Baker himself was present with his film “Red Rocket,” but he was captivated by Borisov’s acting skills in the drama “Compartment No. 6” directed by Juho Kuosmanen.

During a Thursday morning interview, Baker recollected contacting Kuosmanen to discuss potential collaboration with the actor. “He responded much like he does now when people ask – he’s fantastic,” Baker stated. “He’s not just a phenomenal performer, but also incredibly considerate and dedicated significant effort. He significantly enhanced the script with numerous fresh ideas.

Baker commented, ‘Indeed, his remarkable consistency in maintaining subtlety throughout the movie is noteworthy. Despite having limited dialogue, he manages to keep the audience engaged and curious about his character. I believe Yura excels at this, as he conveys much with minimal resources.’

Initially, Borisov hadn’t been familiar with Baker’s work before the filmmaker contacted him. Once he checked out some of Baker’s films, Borisov consented to be part of Baker’s upcoming project, despite the fact that the script hadn’t been written at that point.

Borisov found an intangible quality in those movies that resonated with him, despite being unable to put it into words.

Borisov stated, “I don’t need to be a critic to grasp the explanation; rather, I simply sense it. Perhaps that’s why I am an actor. These films struck something intriguing within me, and I can honestly express that they hold significance for me.

Borisov, who has previously gained recognition in Russia with a Golden Eagle award for his role as Mikhail Kalashnikov in the 2020 film “AK-47,” is now generating fresh buzz with his work on “Anora.” Notably, he’s been compared to Ryan Gosling within the Russian film industry. However, the anticipation surrounding “Anora” is unprecedented and largely unforeseen.

Borisov stated, “I had planned to attend Cannes with this movie since Sean had been there previously – I’d been there too. However, it was beyond wild that we took home the Palme d’Or. Each moment following was even more unbelievable and overwhelming. It feels like I’m in a car zooming at 200 miles per hour, looking out as everything whizzes by while I’m still just inside the vehicle.

As a cinephile, I found myself drawn to the enigmatic character of Igor throughout the movie. At first, he was a quiet, almost motionless figure, but gradually, he transformed into a more dynamic presence. His subtle expressions and eloquent body language were his main means of communication, painting a profound picture without uttering a single word. It took an exceptional actor to breathe life into such a complex character, making Igor’s evolution on screen truly captivating.

Baker stated, “I chose not to reveal my strategy too quickly.” He also praised Yura for being skilled at maintaining a steady pace in his acting. Unlike some actors who give away the plot, Yura doesn’t do that. Instead, he subtly suggests what might happen through his expressions and where he directs his gaze.

In his role as an editor, Baker noticed additional nuances as he had access to all the different attempts. He would observe how the actor subtly altered each take. “This man clearly understands the craft,” Baker remarked. “To witness an actor who is attuned to the camera angles, the lighting adjustments, and skillfully conveys emotions without words – that’s the mark of a seasoned professional.

Borisov and Madison met on set and immediately began forging a sense of chemistry between them.

On Thursday, Madison shared that she recalled a moment when a man stepped into the mansion right after getting off a plane, and he seemed to take notice of my glittering hair accessories. He was both charming and inquisitive, she added. From that very instant, she confessed her fondness for him.

Borisov mentioned, “We were inseparable throughout the filming process.” This closeness, he explained, is what shaped his bond with Mikey off-screen and on-set. Since Mikey resides in L.A., and both of them were away from their respective homes for the shoot, their relationship became genuine and authentic.

Movies

In this new role, Mikey Madison shines as a stripper who finds herself caught up with a less than ideal love interest. Sean Baker’s energetic comedy serves up a dose of melancholy.

At night, when only Igor and Ani remain in Ivan’s house, a playful tension arises between them. They begin to perceive that each holds something deeper than their initial impressions might suggest.

According to Borisov, Sean granted us the liberty to create a completely new scene, aimed at filling the void and surrounding atmosphere. This freedom essentially transformed our work into a mini experimental lab, where we could explore the correct flow of energy.

In the Russian neighborhood of Brighton Beach, Borisov was sometimes identified by enthusiasts. Although it disrupted his focus at the time, as reported by Madison, the team managed to obtain a few shooting spots once people realized who he was.

Despite “Anora” occasionally exhibiting a bubbly, zany atmosphere, it attains its most poignant moment in a subtly emotional scene where Igor and Anora are left alone in a car together. The situation could mark the end of their relationship or a fresh start, sparking a wave of reactions from viewers who have shared thoughts on the characters’ motivations and potential future developments.

According to Baker, “it was clearly intended to be open-ended in interpretation and provocative,” he noted. “I’m genuinely thrilled to witness it causing precisely the impact we anticipated.

Multiple attempts were needed to capture the scene accurately because the actors had to find and convey the crucial feelings that were required at that specific moment.

At one point, Mikey and I were unsure of what Sean expected from us – what exactly were we supposed to be doing, Borisov explained. “We kept repeating that scene, it was the only one we performed in this manner,” he added. “Sean was trying to capture the right emotion for that moment. It seems he finally did, as he found it.

Madison remarked, ‘I believe we were all seeking a particular emotion.’ We were all sharing that instant in the same vehicle, the three of us. So, I guess it was about finding the moment and then identifying whether it was the correct one once we found it.

Regarding any potential events following that particular scene involving Igor and Ani, Borisov expressed, “Unfortunately, I can’t speculate since for me it was a segment of Igor and Anora’s characters’ lives. All I am permitted to share is that Igor was present, but not myself.

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2025-01-24 02:02

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