On Sean Baker (and never selling out)
I did not expect Sean Baker to win four Oscars last night. Not because I didn’t like Anora—I liked it! But that ending…
And this is coming from Mr. Downbeat ending over here! I mean, christ, my “comedies” all have grown ass adults crying at the end!
My cinematic universe (where everyone cries at the end)Even when it seemed clear that Anora was going to sweep, I still had doubts. It was too good to be true! The Oscars would never reward a downer, right?!! I thought some other movie would slide in and steal the spotlight at the last moment. But, nope. Sean Baker won best director, writer, editor, and film. The last person to win four oscars? Fucking Walt Disney!
I can’t help but be encouraged by Sean Baker’s win. This dude has been quietly making great films, without compromise, for 20 years. And here he is sweeping the Oscars, downbeat ending and all.
My first introduction to Sean’s work was Tangerine. I thought it should have won an Oscar in 2015. I loved it so much that I tweeted about it.
Sean Baker DM-ed me shortly after.
He said he would send me a burned DVD of his other films.
I thanked him for the gesture but told him there was NO WAY I would let him do that. I was going to pay money for them.
I mention this factoid because there’s been a fair bit of press around our Oscar-nominated directors being broke. recently highlighted this.
So, what’s the path forward? Is there a way to make filmmaking a sustainable living? Has it ever been sustainable? Should we be preaching living well through artistic poverty?
OR MAYBE WE CAN DO WHAT SEAN TALKS ABOUT IN THIS AMAZING SPEECH:
I dunno. Worth a shot.
