By Director Brady Corbet on The Brutalist : “We Didn’t Intend Coded Messages, as That’s Equivalent to Propaganda” – EXCLUSIVE
Brady Corbet’s critically acclaimed film The Brutalist will premiere in Indian cinemas next Friday, just days before the Oscars. This 2024 epic period drama has dominated the awards season, earning top honors for Corbet and leading man Adrien Brody. Ahead of its release, Corbet spoke with ETimes in an exclusive interview, offering insights into his creative process, the film’s profound themes, and his collaborative storytelling approach with co-writer Mona Fastvold.
Given the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, audiences have drawn various interpretations from The Brutalist, linking its themes to war, political crises, and Zionism. The film delves into resilience, identity, war, displacement, and immigration, sparking widespread discussions on its layered narrative. When asked about the film’s message, Corbet reaffirmed his commitment to open-ended artistic interpretation.
“It will be interpreted in different ways, and that’s something we encourage. We don’t write with the intention of being didactic or embedding a coded message because, to me, that’s equivalent to propaganda,” Corbet explained. He emphasized the importance of allowing audiences to interpret art independently. “I’m more interested in exploration. I feel my way through the dark along with the audience.”
Corbet and his team spent years researching architecture and history to inform the film’s narrative. However, he believes that true creativity stems from intuition and heartfelt expression. “At some point, you have to let go and start writing from your heart,” he shared.
At its core, The Brutalist is “very much a love story,” Corbet added, revealing its romantic undercurrents alongside its exploration of personal and societal themes. “It’s quite romantic as well. I think we’re too close to the story to definitively say what it’s really about.”
Fastvold values audience engagement and enjoys understanding their interpretations. “I think it would be unfair to analyze the film for the audience. I’d rather hear their thoughts. That’s the exciting part—finally meeting the audience and discovering the stories they connect with ours,” she expressed.
With an impressive ten Academy Award nominations—including Best Picture, Best Director for Corbet, Best Actor for Adrien Brody, Best Supporting Actress for Felicity Jones, and Best Supporting Actor for Guy Pearce—The Brutalist has cemented itself as one of the year’s most acclaimed films.
Despite this success, Corbet maintains a grounded perspective on the industry. Speaking at a roundtable attended by ETimes, he remarked, “I’m not cynical about life’s core joys. We’re fortunate to keep doing what we love. But I don’t care about little statues, you know. They’re pretty useless—except for one thing: they allow you to make the next movie.”
He acknowledged the fleeting nature of fame and recognition in Hollywood. “For us, we’re just grateful for some job security for the next nine to 18 months before everyone forgets. That’s all—it’s a freelance job. And all I want is to keep doing it on some level.”
The Brutalist follows the riveting journey of Laszlo Toth (Adrien Brody), a Hungarian-Jewish architect who seeks a new beginning in America after surviving the horrors of the Holocaust. Separated from his wife, Erzsebet (Felicity Jones), who remains stranded in post-war Eastern Europe with their niece, Laszlo struggles to rebuild his life alone. His extraordinary architectural talent attracts the attention of Harrison Lee Van Buren, a powerful industrialist in Pennsylvania, who offers him a path to success.
Laszlo must navigate complex relationships, cultural shifts, and the weight of his past while striving to build a future. The film not only captures his professional aspirations but also his deeply personal battles as he grapples with love, loss, and the pursuit of identity in a foreign land. With masterful storytelling, The Brutalist immerses viewers in a gripping tale of survival and ambition.
