Aputure amaran S Series Monolight

The world in your movie or TV show is what gets the audience to buy into the story. We often think of worldbuilding as grand things, like CGI and set design, but the truth is, a lot of weight is carried by the more natural things we see on the screen -- like characters and make-up.

Some of the best I've seen was in Sean Baker's 2024 Palme d'Or Award-winning film Anora. Thrilling, hugely entertaining, and genuine, Anora is like a gritty Cinderella story.

Set in 2018, the movie follows the wild odyssey of its titular protagonist, a young Russian American sex worker who is swept out of her everyday life as an erotic dancer by the impetuous, free-spending son of a Russian oligarch.

Anora was the perfect vessel and creative outlet for make-up artist Annie Johnson, as the character allowed her to think outside of the box and use her extensive background in character, beauty, and special effects makeup.

We were lucky enough to sit down with Annie (not to be mistaken with Anora's birth name, Ani) to talk about her work on the movie.

Let's dive in.

Editor's note: the following interview is edited for length and clarity.