Deconstructing modernist values through a postmodern lens

An Analysis of Ani Mikheeva in Sean Baker’s Anora

Abstract

Postmodernism criticizes modernism’s failure to uphold human dignity in a rapidly changing world. It rejects universal “grand narratives” in favor of localized, flexible “mini narratives.” Sean Baker’s Anora reflects these ideas through its main character, Ani. This research aims to find out how binary oppositions are deconstructed using Derrida’s theory and identify postmodern values represented by Ani in the film. The researcher employs a descriptive-qualitative method, further developed using Jacques Derrida’s deconstruction theory by reversing dominant oppositions. The results of the study revealed that deconstructing the binary opposition within Ani’s character, which reflects modernist values, leads to a transformation in her traits. As a result, her initially modernist values shifted into ones that align with postmodernism. This shift allowed for a new perspective on Ani as a character who more accurately represented postmodern values. Ani’s postmodern values were expressed through the “mini-narratives” she followed throughout the story. Ani sees the world as empty and meaningless. Ani embraces chaos rather than structure. Ani re-evaluates Western value systems. Ani’s relationship is complicated, and Ani is a pessimistic woman.