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Mark Eydelshteyn, the breakout star of Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or-winning pic Anora, has signed with WME for representation in all areas, in a major career move for the rising Russian actor.
Eydelshteyn attracted international attention for his performance in Anora, playing the part of the Russian oligarch’s spoiled son who becomes romantically entangled with Ani, a high-end stripper, played by Best Actress Oscar winner Mikey Madison. The film is set within the Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, Russian immigrant community and explores class, identity, and immigrant life through Baker’s signature vérité style.
The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival, where it not only won the Palme d’Or but also sparked serious award buzz that carried on throughout Oscar season. Anora went on to win five Academy Award nominations and won for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actress. Baker helmed four of those wins himself, cementing his reputation as one of the most daring auteurs of contemporary cinema. Co-star Yura Borisov received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Eydelshteyn’s role in Anora was his English-language film debut and introduced him to the world stage. His performance was critically acclaimed for its subtle vulnerability and emotional range, with many declaring him one of the most promising new faces in world cinema.
A graduate of the prestigious Moscow Art Theater School, Eydelshteyn has built a solid resume in Russian-language projects before Anora. His past credits include Strada Sasha, directed by Julia Trofimova, which debuted at Berlinale in 2022, and the award-winning series The Monastery, where his performances were locally acclaimed.
WME’s signing of Eydelshteyn comes amid a time of growth for the agency’s global talent ranks. With multiple offers reportedly on the table following Anora’s awards sweep, Eydelshteyn appears poised to be a player in both independent film and more large-scale studio fare in the coming years.
His next move remains to be seen, but insiders point to him negotiating several high-end foreign projects and that Anora is only the beginning of what is shaping up to be a long, hectic career.
Eydelshteyn is also managed by Alexander Vasiliev Management in Russia.
