LOS ANGELES—Renee Olstead explores the importance of nuance in sex worker media representation in her new feature for Penthouse Magazine, "Next on Stage: Anora."
Olstead, a Penthouse Pet and frequent Penthouse contributor examines the moving parts of Sean Baker’s new movie, which won the prestigious Palme d'Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, through interviews with sex workers Luna Sophia Miranda, Lindsey Normington, and Sophia Carnabuci who were featured prominently in the Anora cast.
Olstead wrote, "While there’s no shortage of sex workers in modern media, few filmmakers, whether for lack of interest, apathy, or oversight, have made a real effort to 'get it right.' Sean Baker, a vocal supporter of the full decriminalization of sex work, is a rare exception."
She noted that Anora continues Baker’s signature approach to storytelling, which often centers on the lives and stories of sex workers. Known for movies like Red Rocket, Tangerine, and The Florida Project, Baker has long been an advocate for more nuanced and humanizing portrayals of sex workers in his work and emphasizes Baker’s impressive collaborative effort in shaping Anora.
“The sex workers depicted in Baker’s films frequently challenge the one-dimensional tropes commonly seen on screen, portraying sex workers as human instead of sterile avatars of vice or virtue. In making Anora, Baker, alongside his wife, producer Samantha Quan, committed to a collaborative effort with members of the sex work community, consulting and casting sex workers in a process Quan described as crucial to the film’s evolution.”
Olstead also noted Baker’s inspiring acceptance speech at Cannes, "Accepting the award from famed filmmaker George Lucas, Baker dedicated the award to sex workers 'of the past, present, and future,' and expressed a wish that films like Anora might help end stigma against sex work and make the world a safer place for sex workers."
Anora opened in select theaters on Oct.18.
Learn more about Anora and Baker via X @Lilfilm and Instagram @bakermovies.
Follow Miranda on Instagram @lunasmic.
Follow Normington on Instagram @lindsey.bug.
Follow Carnabuci on Instagram @soborose.
Get to know Olstead, who writes first-person features as a Penthouse contributor, through her official Penthouse model page. Learn more at xorenee.com and Instagram @xorenee.
