MOVIE NEWS – The dramatic comedy Anora won the Palme d’Or at Cannes this year, in which Ivan – known to his friends as Vanya – the scion of a Russian oligarch, falls in love with a sex worker, sparking a series of disastrous complications. Ivan is played by 22-year-old Russian actor Mark Eidelshtein, who is already being compared to Timothée Chalamet based on this first international role.

Mark convinced director Sean Baker in a very original way that he was the perfect choice for the role of Ivan. The actor was recommended to the director by his friend, Yura Borisov, who had already been cast in Anora. Eidelshtein was sent the script and was completely blown away. “Flash, flash, bang, bang, action, action and lots of sex,” he summarized his experience.

Eidelshtein wanted to send a casting video to the director, but there was a small hitch. He wanted to introduce himself fully transformed into Ivan, which required him to dress in cool clothes suitable for a billionaire’s son, but he didn’t have such clothes.

“I figured I’d just be naked,” he told Variety in his first Western interview. “I read the lines from the script and occasionally took a puff from my e-cigarette because it helps me concentrate. Sean was completely blown away, saying it was so Ivan, especially with the cigarette! He thought I completely nailed the character.”

(Anora – domestic release: November 7, 2024.)