The Brutalist is a 2024 epic period drama directed by Brady Corbet, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mona Fastvold. The film tells the story of László Tóth, a Hungarian architect of Jewish descent who emigrates to the United States after World War II to rebuild his life, career and marriage to his wife Erzsébet.
The Brutalist – a film about the architect László Tóth
The lead roles are played by Adrien Brody as László Tóth and Felicity Jones as Erzsébet. The cast also includes actors such as Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin, Emma Laird, Isaach de Bankolé and Alessandro Nivola. Shooting for the film took place in the US, Hungary and the UK.
The film premiered on 1 September 2024 at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where Brady Corbet received the Silver Lion for Best Director. “The Brutalist” received critical acclaim and was named one of the best films of 2024 by the American Film Institute. It also won three awards at the 82nd Golden Globes ceremony, including best dramatic film.
In the US, the film was released by A24 on 20 December 2024 and is scheduled for release in the UK on 24 January 2025.
“The Brutalist” has received positive reviews, with a rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film also received seven Golden Globes nominations, second only to ‘Emilia Pérez’ with ten nominations. The film is dedicated to hardy audiences. The screening lasts more than three and a half hours, which, combined with the rather difficult subject matter and the dark colour palette, does not make it easy for the viewer.
Below is the official trailer for the film “The Brutalist”
László Tóth – architect or fictional character from the film The Brutalist?
László Tóth is a fictional character. In the film, Tóth is depicted as a visionary who emigrates to the United States after the Second World War to rebuild his life and career. His work reflects the influence of Brutalism, a trend in architecture known for its austere forms, use of concrete and functionality.
László’s works in the film symbolise his struggle with trauma and his desire to create a lasting mark on a world that has itself undergone enormous change. The character was created as a tribute to the architects of modernism and their vision of rebuilding the post-war world.
Interestingly, history knows of a Hungarian who called himself László Tóth. This figure made history negatively because of his attack on the Pieta – Michelangelo’s famous work. on 21 May 1972, during Pentecost, Toth, in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, jumped out of a group of tourists visiting the basilica with a hammer, shouting “It is I who am Christ” and struck the Pieta fifteen times with the hammer. As a result of the attack, the sculpture lost its right hand and its face was damaged. After this act, Toth was not found guilty of the crime, as he was declared insane.
source: Filmweb.pl / pelnasala.pl
stills: stills from the film The Brutalist, official film poster
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