A24 Buys HIstorical Drama The Brutalist Following Venice Film Fest Win

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As a movie aficionado with a soft spot for historical dramas and a keen eye for Oscar contenders, I can confidently say that The Brutalist is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated films of the upcoming year. With Adrien Brody’s captivating performance and Brady Corbet’s masterful direction, this post-war epic promises to deliver an emotional rollercoaster ride that will leave audiences breathless.

Adrien Brody’s latest dramatic project, “The Brutalist,” which has been generating buzz in the film industry, has been picked up by independent distributor A24. This film is being hailed as a significant comeback for Brody in Hollywood’s limelight. At this year’s Venice International Film Festival, it was one of the most discussed films. A24 secured the rights for domestic distribution shortly after director Brady Corbet won the Silver Lion award for Best Director at the esteemed festival (Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door” received the top prize this year).

Titled “The Brutalist,” this film is a historical drama written by Corbet and Mona Fastvold, and directed by Corbet. It centers around Brody’s portrayal of Laszlo Toth, a Holocaust survivor who immigrates to the United States with his wife Erzsébet, seeking a fresh start. As an architect, Toth encounters the struggles of a nation also emerging from war. However, their life takes an unexpected turn when he secures a lucrative contract from a secretive client in America.

According to Variety, A24 has purchased The Brutalist for $10 million and plans to exclusively release the movie in the U.S. Focus Features, meanwhile, will handle international distribution. Although no official release dates have been set for any markets yet, given the excitement surrounding the film, it likely won’t be long before it hits screens. The upcoming showing of the film will take place at the New York Film Festival starting on September 27, 2024.

As a movie enthusiast, let me tell you that this year at Venice, I had the immense pleasure of witnessing the extraordinary response to “The Brutalist.” The twelve-minute standing ovation it received was not only unexpected but also one of the longest in the festival’s history. This is quite astonishing given that we had been seated for over three hours, since the film spans a generous 215 minutes. The film’s remarkable reception is evident from its impressive Rotten Tomatoes score, currently boasting an astounding 97%.

Could The Brutalist Be Next Year’s Biggest Oscars Contender?

It hasn’t been an easy road for Corbet, who transitioned from acting in films like Funny Games and Force Majeure to directing with his debut feature, The Childhood of a Leader. He also directed Natalie Portman in the unconventional popstar drama Vox Lux. In development since 2020, The Brutalist saw a drastic cast change (previous cast members included Joel Edgerton, Marion Cotillard, and Mark Rylance), but Corbet was eventually able to bring his post-war epic to life with a cast that includes Felicity Jones, Joe Alwyn, and Guy Pearce.

Next year’s award season is bound to see disruption by the powerful film, “The Brutalist.” This movie carries the distinctive signature of an Academy Award winner. Above all, Adrien Brody has ignited Oscar discussions this year. At the festival’s standing ovation, Brody, who won a Best Actor Oscar for his role in 2003’s “The Pianist,” was moved to tears by the audience’s warm reception. With Corbet winning the Silver Lion for directing and A24 distributing the post-war drama, “The Brutalist” is already gearing up to be a significant contender in 2025.

The Brutalist
still hasn’t received a theatrical release date. Check back for updates.

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2024-09-09 19:31