Sean Baker has won best director at the Oscars for “Anora,” the story of a Brooklyn exotic dancer who marries the impetuous son of a Russian oligarch.

“Anora,” Sean Baker’s edgy comedy about an exotic dancer in Brooklyn, emerged as the big winner at the 97th Academy Awards with five Oscars, including best picture, best director and best actress for Mikey Madison.

New Jersey indie film auteur Sean Baker is now an Oscar-winning director. Baker has centered most of his films around sex workers. The movies have been well received, but none have reached the heights of “ Anora ,” his first movie to be nominated for best picture at the Oscars.