Arts·Commotion

What Anora's award season success means for sex workers and Hollywood

Following Anora’s big night at the Oscars, Elamin checks in with writer and sex worker Andrea Werhun about her role as a consultant on the film.

Writer and sex worker Andrea Werhun talks how the film's wins are changing public perceptions of sex work

Men and women in formal wear stand on a stage to accept an award.
The cast and crew of Anora accepts the Oscar for best picture. Director Sean Baker is at the microphone. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

The big story to come out of this year's Academy Awards was the triumph of Anora, an independent film about a sex worker whose life is changed when she meets and impulsively marries the son of an oligarch.

The film won five awards, including best director, best actress and best picture.

Following Anora's big night at the Oscars, Commotion host Elamin Abdelmahmoud talks to writer and sex worker Andrea Werhun about her role as a consultant on the film, and how Anora's success is changing public perceptions of sex work.

WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube (this segment begins at 17:33):

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.


Interview with Andrea Werhun produced by Stuart Berman.