Sean Baker has reappeared with the flair of a conjurer who will not reveal his trick. His last feature, Anora, stunned the world by sweeping five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, proving that audacious, low-budget films can conquer the highest cinematic heights. Now, Baker is dropping breadcrumbs for fans, suggesting that his next project may be as daring and provocative as ever.

Variety asked Sean Baker about his next film, specifically whether it would be set in Italy and star Vera Gemma. He confirmed the speculation, signaling a shift from gritty American indie landscapes to sun-soaked, cheeky Italian backdrops.

"It is my love letter to the Italian s-- comedies of the ’60s and ’70s, so I am leaning into that," he explained. The director emphasized that the project will shoot this year, suggesting a fast-moving production schedule.

The conversation took place at the Ritz Carlton in Berlin, where Baker’s short film with Michelle Yeoh, Sandiwara, premiered on Friday. Baker was multitasking brilliantly, wowing audiences with a film shot entirely on an iPhone while slyly teasing his next cinematic adventure.

Straddling the worlds of festival prestige and playful intrigue, Sean Baker has left admirers to wonder how his daring indie sensibility will dance across Italian comedy tropes.

What to expect from the upcoming Sean Baker film

Last year, Sean Baker scouted locations for his upcoming film, as per what he said at the Marrakech Film Festival, signaling a hands-on approach similar to his meticulous work on Anora. While plot specifics remain under wraps, Baker had previously mentioned at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival press conference that his next film will again explore the life of a s-- worker, promising depth and complexity.

The film reportedly features Italian actress Vera Gemma, known for her acclaimed performances in Vera and Scarlet Diva, which earned her major Italian award recognition. Gemma’s long career across Italian genre cinema suggests that Baker is assembling a cast capable of blending dramatic weight with playful energy.

Baker has announced in multiple interviews, even in the same Variety interview where he revealed the hints, that he intends to shoot the untitled film independently. Yet he hopes to collaborate once more with Neon, his backer on Anora. This balance promises the freedom to experiment while retaining the production expertise that supported his previous success.

Are you looking forward to Sean Baker's 'love letter'? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Iffat Siddiqui

Edited by

Hriddhi Maitra