Brady Corbet’s ‘The Brutalist’ Explores Art vs Content with Star Cast
Brady Corbet’s film delves into the nuances of art and content through a gripping story of survival and creativity.
Brady Corbet, The Brutalist, Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Toronto, Canada
Toronto: So, have you heard about Brady Corbet’s new film, The Brutalist? It’s quite the ambitious project, shot on a rare VistaVision format and running a whopping 215 minutes. With a budget under $10 million, it stars Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, and it tells the story of a Hungarian-Jewish architect who survives the Holocaust and starts anew in the U.S.
Brody plays László Tóth, who leaves his wife Erzsébet behind after World War II. She’s stuck at the Austrian border with their niece. László’s journey in the U.S. kicks off with him living with his cousin Attila, a furniture maker in Pennsylvania. They get hired to design a unique library for a wealthy businessman’s son, which changes everything for László.
The film spans 30 years, tackling heavy themes like trauma from the Holocaust, assimilation, and anti-Semitism. It cleverly uses brutalist architecture to draw parallels between artistic expression and the immigrant experience.
Corbet mentioned that it’s fascinating how brutalist architecture is still controversial even after 75 years. He wrote the film during Trump’s presidency, a time when there was a push to “make federal buildings beautiful again,” which meant getting rid of brutalist designs.
He also pointed out how people often react negatively to new buildings, just like communities can react to new neighbors. It’s all about the immigrant experience and the struggle for acceptance, both in art and life.
After the passing of Scott Walker, a frequent collaborator, musician Daniel Blumberg stepped in to create the film’s score. Corbet praised Blumberg for his unique approach, which really enhances the film’s emotional depth.
Brody’s performance is powerful, but what’s really interesting is how Corbet introduces Jones’ character. She doesn’t fit the typical mold of the woman left behind; instead, her arrival is unexpected and adds depth to the story.
Corbet loves to subvert expectations, making films that keep audiences on their toes. He believes that movies should engage viewers and leave a lasting impression, rather than just being forgettable content.
He aims for his films to resonate long after they’re over, which he sees as the key difference between art and mere content. The Brutalist is set to hit theaters in Toronto on December 25, with wider releases in January.