Movie fans get ready to meet Yura Borisov . You might not know his name yet but you will soon. This Russian actor is having a major moment. He is nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the movie Anora. And people are seriously taking notice.
'Anora' Takes the Oscars and Cannes by Storm: And Yura Borisov is a Big Reason Why
The movie Anora is kind of a Cinderella story itself. It is about a Brooklyn woman named Anora who marries the son of a Russian oligarch. Things get wild when the parents in Russia find out and try to undo the marriage. It is a bit of a fairytale gone sideways.
This movie is not just getting attention it is winning big. Anora snagged the Best Picture Oscar at the 97th Academy Awards. Before that it won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Basically it is a critical darling and audiences are loving it. And right in the middle of all this buzz is Yura Borisov.
Igor the 'Brute' with a Heart: Yura Borisov's Complex Oscar-Nominated Role
Yura Borisov plays Igor in Anora. Igor is described as a Russian henchman. He is sent to New York to bring back the oligarch's son Vanya who is married to Anora. At first glance Igor might seem like just a tough guy a "brute" as some might say.
But Borisov brings way more to the role. He makes Igor a complicated character. Director Sean Baker even calls him a "sensitive brute". Borisov wanted to show that even someone who seems tough can be kind and fragile inside. He nailed it. By the end of the movie Igor becomes a surprising and somewhat romantic figure. People really connected with his performance.
To get into character Borisov did some intense things. For a scene where Mikey Madison's character Ani is fighting back he asked her to actually hit him for real. Talk about commitment! But he also brought softer touches to the role. He suggested that Igor reveal he is turning 30 because that is a big deal in Russian culture a "coming of age" moment. He even came up with the idea for a scene where Igor stress-eats burgers at a diner stuffing his face. He was all in on making Igor real and memorable.
From Moscow to Hollywood: Borisov's Journey to Oscar Recognition is a First for Russia in Decades
Yura Borisov's Oscar nomination is kind of a big deal historically. He is the first Russian actor to be nominated for an acting Oscar since Mikhail Baryshnikov way back in 1977. That is a long time.
His journey is also interesting. He started out acting in Russia often in state-financed movies. But he has moved into international art house films and now Hollywood is calling. Some people are surprised to see a Russian actor nominated especially given current world events. But Borisov seems to have found a way to connect with audiences everywhere. He has not taken sides in political issues. Maybe that is part of his success. He is focused on his art and people are responding to his talent.
From Soldiers to Lovers and Pushkin Too: More Cool Facts About Yura Borisov
Want to know more about Yura Borisov? Here are some quick facts:
- Russian Ryan Gosling? Director Sean Baker jokingly calls Borisov the "Russian Ryan Gosling". High praise.
- From Small Town to Big Stage: Borisov is from a small town outside Moscow and his parents were engineers and doctors. They were not so sure about this whole acting thing at first.
- Dedicated Actor: He is super dedicated to his roles. He even thought about pulling out his own teeth for different characters in the past!
- Popular in Russia: He was already a well-known and popular actor in Russia before "Anora" blew up internationally.
- Plays Pushkin: In his latest Russian film he plays the famous Russian writer Alexander Pushkin. Talk about range.
Will Borisov Win? Everyone is Rooting for This Talented Actor
Whether Yura Borisov wins the Oscar or not his nomination is already a huge victory. He is getting worldwide recognition for his talent and hard work. People are loving his performance in Anora and his story is pretty inspiring. Keep an eye on Yura Borisov. He is definitely an actor to watch and this is likely just the beginning of his international career.