The language of colors in the film “Anora”

“Anora” is like an unfinished and broken version of Cinderella’s dream, between Ani – a stripper at a nightclub in New York, USA (played by Mikey Madison) and a high-roller customer who is the son of a Russian tycoon...

“Anora” is a cinematic picture where color is not just a decorative element but also a language. In this film that blends romance, satire and tragicomedy, red plays a pivotal role, appearing in almost every scene.

Ani (right) and Galina Zakharov - Ivan's mother (left).

Red is often associated with strong emotions such as love, passion, and anger. However, it can also symbolize power, violence, sacrifice, or even a warning of potential danger. Red has long been associated with prostitution (the term “red light district” refers to neighborhoods where prostitution is practiced), and in “Anora,” the meaning of the color is no exception, as it symbolizes both opportunity and oppression.

The iconic red scarf first appears in the film during the violent confrontation between Ani and the Zakharov family's "cronies" and is used to gag her. This scarf belongs to Ivan's mother (played by Russian actor Mark Eydelshteyn), it is both a tangible and symbolic bondage. And this expensive, luxurious scarf is what represents the danger of power and wealth lurking around the heroine, restricting her freedom.

But this red “chain” changes its role when it becomes something to keep her warm in the cold winter night on the journey to hunt Ivan with the Zakharov family’s subordinates. At this time, this red scarf also represents the chance to change her life that Ani is trying to hold on to. In the crisis, Ani still calms herself with the dream of a rich and prosperous life.

Yet its opulence and borrowed origins only serve to underscore Ani’s alienation: it is an object that belongs to a world that will only accept her as long as she continues to play her part in an unjust society. After confronting and failing Ivan’s mother at the film’s end, Ani throws the red scarf in her face. It is also the moment she throws away the promise of a new life. But it is also the moment she reclaims her freedom. With the red scarf gone, the Zakharovs’ shackles around Ani’s neck are gone. Red, long associated with the desire for wealth and power, now represents the exclusion of the upper class, a reminder that the red color of money is always beyond Ani’s reach.

Ani was gagged by Zakharov's "henchmen" with a red scarf.

Not only red, blue and white also appear a lot. The combination of these three colors can be seen as representing the American flag, or more specifically, the “American dream” of both Ani and Ivan.

The repetition of red and blue throughout the film serves as a deliberate visual motif, reinforcing the core themes of the work. Ani’s clothing, particularly the tight turquoise dress she wears when she first arrives at Ivan’s mansion, initially symbolizes her transformation. However, the power this outfit provides is merely a facade for her to fit into the upper class, and it quickly becomes meaningless as she directly challenges the class order. The film’s color palette shifts from warm, hopeful yellows to cold, somber hues. Ani’s journey from Brighton Beach to her Las Vegas wedding and back again shatters any illusions she might have about a modern-day Cinderella story, that someone from the fringes of society would be welcomed into the lavish “kingdom.”

Ani’s journey is both personal and collective – a reflection of the millions of people who dare to dream against all odds. Using the color red, the film depicts the paradox of beauty and cruelty, creating an emotional and visual portrait of dreams. “Anora” is not only a brilliant piece of cinema with a timeless ending, but also a powerful statement about the price of aspiration in an unjust society.

Kinh Quoc

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/van-hoa-du-lich-van-hoc-nghe-thuat/202503/ngon-ngu-mau-sac-trong-buc-tranh-dien-anh-anora-28a08e6/