Yura Borisov Nominated for Oscar for 'Anora' Amid Links to Russian Propaganda and Filming in Occupied Crimea

Russian actor Yura Borisov, known for his roles in Kremlin-backed films and visits to occupied Crimea, has been nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Supporting Actor category for his role in Sean Baker’s ‘Anora’, as announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on January 23.

While the nomination recognizes his performance in the critically acclaimed dark comedy, it has drawn criticism due to his connections to state-sponsored projects and his silence on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Anora is a comedy about a lapdancer who becomes entangled with Russian gangsters in New York’s Brighton Beach. The film has received widespread acclaim, including winning the Palme d’Or at the 77th Cannes Film Festival and being named one of the top 10 films of 2024 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute.

The Telegraph highlights the contrast between the praise for Anora and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“The conspiracy of silence is jarring when juxtaposed with the billions of pounds from the West that have poured into helping the Ukrainian military fend off the invaders, and given the fact that Russia is an international pariah,” the report states.

The Telegraph also reports that Borisov and fellow cast member Mark Eidelstein continue to work in Russia and participate in state-funded, patriotic film festivals, raising questions about their connection to the Kremlin’s cultural agenda.

Borisov starred in the biographical film Kalashnikov, which depicts the inventor of the AK-47. The film was partially shot in Crimea after Russia’s annexation in 2014. The annexation, considered illegal under international law, led to the country’s expulsion from the G8 and the imposition of international sanctions, and Borisov is listed in Ukraine’s Myrotvorets database for allegedly supporting Russian aggression.

Eidelstein, another actor in Anora, gained recognition for his role in Strana Sasha (The Land of Sasha), a coming-of-age film that premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2022, shortly before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Much of the film was shot in occupied Crimea and distributed by Central Partnership, a subsidiary of the state-owned gas company Gazprom, which is closely tied to the Kremlin and is currently under international sanctions.

According to The Telegraph, Ukrainian film professionals have expressed concern over the lack of attention to the ongoing war. Olga Sydorushkina, program curator at the Ukraine Institute London, stated, “The ongoing war is no longer a concern for the big film festivals. It’s like yesterday’s news. Half of the cast is continuing to participate in pro-government film festivals in Russia, taking leading roles in patriotic films that are funded by the government. That is very questionable.”

Sydorushkina also noted that Anora is not just a critically acclaimed film but a symbol of Russia’s effort to maintain its cultural influence internationally. “For the Russian film community, it is more than just a good film—it is a victory for them,” she said.

In a recent People interview, Borisov reportedly commented, “For a lot of people in Russia who work in art, it is an important moment—all these awards and nominations. Everyone is proud.”

Borisov’s continued silence on Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.