Oscar-winning Anora director Sean Baker’s take on sex work sparks outrage among Koreans: 'That matches the actual demand for prostitution...'

Filmmaker Sean Baker had a memorable 97th Academy Awards as he bagged not one or two, but 4 prestigious trophies including Best Film, Best Director, Best Editor and Best Original Screenplay for his movie Anora. Film’s leading lady Mikey Madison also bagged the Best Actress award at the ceremony.

However, amid this celebration, Baker has unexpectedly come under fire for his candid comment on his next cinematic venture at Cannes Film Festival last year.

In an interview, Sean revealed that his upcoming project would once again explore the dynamics of sex work. “My next film involves a sex worker. It’s important to explore what sex work is in the modern age and how it applies in a capitalist society; it’s a job, a livelihood, it’s a job, it’s a career, and it should be respected. In my opinion, I’m speaking for myself to be decriminalised and not in any way regulated," Baker told Deadline.

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“It’s a sex worker’s body … it’s their body, and it’s up to them to decide how to use it in their livelihood," the filmmaker added. “There are a million stories to be told in that world. If there’s one intention with these films (it’s) telling human stories. It also helps remove the stigma that’s applied to this livelihood," expressed the filmmaker.

Talking about _Anora_, he had said, “I approached this movie in terms of themes, and levels of power and power dynamics. And also, in terms of Anora, she has her power. She’s in control. Even when the world is coming down on her."

While his opinion resonated with the people across the globe, Koreans were not pleased with his advocacy of sex work. As per Koreaboo, Koreans slammed the maker and emphasised that his thoughts completely ignored the harsh realities of exploitation and trafficking.

“Then men should just sell sex to each other. That matches the actual demand for prostitution," wrote one user on one of the Korean social media websites. “Then men should just sell sex to each other. That matches the actual demand for prostitution," wrote another netizen.

“Men disguising human rights violations and exploitation as ‘labour’—disgusting. And Western white men in the first world handing out awards for this kind of thing? Absolutely vile," shared another user.