Episode Summary: "Best Picture Nominee: The Brutalist"

Released: February 17, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart delves deep into the world of cinema by spotlighting "The Brutalist," a leading contender for Best Picture at the 2025 Oscars. Through engaging conversations with the film's director, Brady Courbet, and star actor Adrien Brody, listeners gain an intimate understanding of the film's creation, themes, and the challenges faced during its production.

Overview of "The Brutalist"

"The Brutalist" is a poignant narrative that chronicles the journey of Laszlo Toth, portrayed by Adrien Brody, an esteemed architect escaping the turmoil of post-World War II Budapest. Trained at the Bauhaus, Laszlo arrives in America with dreams of rebuilding his life and career, only to confront the complexities of the American Dream and the preservation of his artistic integrity. The film has earned critical acclaim, securing nominations in ten categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Brody, and Best Editing.

Production Challenges Amidst a Pandemic

The conversation begins with Alison Stewart addressing the unforeseen delays the production faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alison Stewart [05:03]: "Brady, you were originally supposed to start shooting around 2020. There was Covid delays in shooting. There were many, many changes. What changed for this film? And that was two or three years?"

Brady Courbet [05:17]: "Well, you know, I think when my wife and I finished the draft, we suspected it might take a while. If I'm being perfectly honest."

Brady elaborates on how the pandemic necessitated a flexible approach, leading to a condensed 33-day shooting schedule. This intense timeline required the team to balance large-scale scenes with more intimate settings, sometimes operating with skeleton crews akin to student film productions. Despite these hurdles, the film maintained its ambitious scope and depth.

Exploring the Immigrant Experience and the American Dream

Adrien Brody shares personal connections to the film's themes, drawing parallels to his own family's history.

Adrien Brody [06:22]: "It is a, you know, it's a really telling story not only of the immigrant experience but the journey for any artistic person and their pursuits and, you know, and the complexities of the American dream and, you know, all of this is it, it just spoke to me."

Brody reflects on his mother's emigration from Hungary in the 1950s during the Hungarian Revolution, highlighting how Laszlo's quest for peace, freedom, and creative fulfillment resonates on both personal and universal levels.

Architectural Significance and Creative Inspiration

The episode delves into the architectural elements that define "The Brutalist," with Adrien Brody expressing his passion for the Brutalist movement.

Adrien Brody [13:52]: "Well, Brady and I had. I mean, first of all, I have loved brutalist architecture and some of the structures very much, and I always look out for them when I'm traveling abroad."

Brady discusses the challenge of creating a fictional character inspired by real Bauhaus-era architects, noting the absence of surviving Eastern Central European architects who emigrated to the U.S. They incorporated elements from renowned figures like Louis Kahn and Mies van der Rohe to craft a believable and multifaceted protagonist.

Maintaining Engagement in a Lengthy Narrative

Addressing the film's extensive runtime, Adrien Brody shares his strategy for staying immersed in such an emotionally demanding role.

Adrien Brody [09:16]: "Oh, I have no problem with getting engaged with things that speak to me. And I've been really yearning for a collaboration with a filmmaker like Brady for many, many years. Someone who has this tremendous capacity for understanding for so much that is going on in the world and so much history and such a knowledge of film and love of film. So for me it was a pleasure. There is just sheer physical exhaustion that we all endured."

Brady Courbet adds his perspective on incorporating an intermission into the film, emphasizing its role in enhancing the communal movie-going experience.

Brady Courbet [10:13]: "For the intermission I, you know, I get so stressed out when long films and I don't want to step out to use a restroom because I don't want to miss anything. But it kind of makes the experience pretty uncomfortable. So I, I, I, we had a solution for this, you know, 75 years ago. The intermission. I also think it's great for the communal movie going experience. And you know, I, I, I'd like to see it come back if a movie's over three hours long."

Personal Reflections and Gratitude

Adrien Brody takes a moment to express his gratitude towards his fans and the broader community that supports his work.

Adrien Brody [15:47]: "Oh, I am, I am grateful every day. I am kind of in awe of, first of all, the love that I have received from so many people as a result of my work and this communion that I have with so many people, not just members of my community and my city where I grew up and my neighborhood and but when I travel throughout the world, I encounter people every day who are somehow moved by something that I've shared. And, you know, I strive to find meaningful work like this for that very reason. So that in things that feel worthy of discussion and circumstances that I am fortunate enough to not have to endure should be recognized because others are enduring that and should be represented. And we should all be conscious of that and open to everyone with the same level of respect that we crave ourselves. And, you know, I'm. I'm grateful because I do receive a lot of respect and love and I have a great capacity to reciprocate."

Notable Quotes

• Adrien Brody [03:28]: "It is no coincidence that fate brought us together on the eve of my mother's death. I'm good at reading the sign."

• Alison Stewart [12:26]: "Laszlo was a well known architect, trained at Bauhaus. But now he just wants a place to lay his head."

• Brady Courbet [10:13]: "I also think it's great for the communal movie going experience. And you know, I, I, I'd like to see it come back if a movie's over three hours long."

Conclusion and What's Next

As the episode concludes, Alison Stewart hints at forthcoming discussions, including an interview with Stanley Tucci and director Edward Berger about their Best Picture-nominated film "Conclave," which delves into the behind-the-scenes politics of selecting a new pope.

Alison Stewart [17:21]: "Brady After Ellis Island, the early part of the story takes place in Pennsylvania... actor Stanley Tucci and director Edward Berger discuss their best picture nominated film conclave about the behind the scenes politics that goes into selecting a new pope. That's next."

Final Thoughts

This episode of All Of It offers a rich and nuanced exploration of "The Brutalist," weaving together personal anecdotes, professional insights, and thematic discussions that highlight the film's significance in contemporary cinema. Through thoughtful dialogue and heartfelt reflections, listeners are invited to appreciate the depth and artistry that make "The Brutalist" a standout nominee in this year's awards season.