Anora, the Palme d’Or-winning film by Sean Baker, has been the subject of debate in recent days for not using intimacy coordinators. The film, which features many quick sex scenes between the two main characters, has sparked controversy among intimacy coordinators who believe that their services should be used on every film shoot involving intimate scenes.
In an interview with Variety, intimacy coordinator Marci Liroff expressed her concerns about the lack of intimacy coordinators on the set of Anora. She stated that the power dynamics on set can make it difficult for actors to say no to requests for intimate scenes, and that the absence of intimacy coordinators can lead to exploitation and discomfort.
However, Baker and his lead actress, Mikey Madison, have defended their decision not to use intimacy coordinators. Madison stated that she felt comfortable having Baker and producer Samantha Quan, who is also Baker’s wife, coordinate the intimate scenes, and that the communication on set was “on point.” Baker has also stated that he believes the decision about whether to hire an intimacy coordinator should be made on a film-by-film basis, and that he would only consider using one for a scene depicting sexual violence.
Anora has been praised for its frank portrayal of sex work, and has been nominated for several awards, including five Golden Globes. However, the controversy surrounding the film’s lack of intimacy coordinators has sparked a wider debate about the importance of these professionals on film sets.
As the film becomes more widely available on video on demand, it is likely that the debate will continue to rage on. Some have praised Baker’s work for helping to destigmatize sex work, while others have criticized the film’s portrayal of intimate scenes. Regardless, Anora remains a powerful and thought-provoking film that is sure to spark important conversations about the representation of sex work on screen.
