Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold on ‘The Brutalist'; Big swings and shake ups at Warner Bros
Jan 10, 2025
auto_awesome
Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold, husband-and-wife duo and talented filmmakers, dive into their ambitious project 'The Brutalist.' They discuss the seven-year journey to bring the film to life, including making a bold choice with its three-and-a-half-hour runtime and intermission. The couple shares personal reflections on society and current political climates, including thoughts on Trump's approach to brutalist architecture. They also touch on the challenges of weaving meaningful narratives in today's fast-paced, streaming-centric film industry.
Warner Bros.' recent executive shakeups emphasize the evolving dynamics within film studios and their potential implications for future movie releases.
Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold's seven-year journey with 'The Brutalist' highlights artists' struggles to maintain creative integrity amid financial and political pressures.
Deep dives
Navigating Art and Commerce
The film explores the complex dynamic between art and commercial interests, drawing from the experiences of director Brady Corbet and his wife, writer Mona Fastfold. They highlight the common struggles artists face when their values clash with those of financial backers, which can lead to morally compromising situations. This theme resonates throughout their film, 'The Brutalist,' which reflects their journey of maintaining artistic integrity while maneuvering through the industry's challenges. The couple emphasizes the necessity of choosing themes that remain relevant, underscoring the importance of protecting one’s creative vision amid external pressures.
The Long Road to Production
The development of 'The Brutalist' was marked by a challenging seven-year journey fraught with financing difficulties, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and changes in casting. Despite these obstacles, the filmmakers remained committed to their vision, repeatedly reviving the project until it finally reached fruition. Their dedication paid off when the film earned accolades, such as the Silver Lion for Best Director at the Venice Film Festival and a major distribution deal with A24. This persistence highlights how critical it is for filmmakers to have a deep, unwavering desire to share their story, reinforcing that the journey can be as significant as the final product.
Collaboration and Synergy
Brady Corbet and Mona Fastfold embody a unique partnership that merges their personal and creative lives, having collaborated on six films together. Their synergy is evident in their collaborative writing process, which allows them to align their creative visions fully and execute projects efficiently. They describe their relationship as symbiotic, enabling each to build on the other’s ideas and effectively execute ideas swiftly after extensive discussions and research. This dynamic underpins their filmmaking approach, illustrating how deep connections can lead to richer storytelling and more cohesive films.
The Role of the Artist in Society
In addition to exploring artistic integrity, the conversation delves into broader societal issues, including the impact of political climates on creativity. Corbet and Fastfold acknowledge the challenges artists face in expressing themselves when confronted with politically motivated constraints, particularly in the context of Trump's administration. They discuss how the themes of their film remain politically relevant, reflecting societal divisions and the ever-changing landscape of artistic freedom. This connection indicates that regardless of the political environment, the role of the artist in advocating for truth and integrity continues to be a pivotal part of their work.
Warner Bros. has parted ways with its marketing chief and president of international distribution. What’s behind the shakeup at the studio and how does that affect the company’s slate of 2025 releases? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive in.
Plus, Masters speaks to The Brutalist co-writer & director Brady Corbet and co-writer Mona Fastvold. The pair talk about the seven-year battle to get their post war epic to the big screen. They also explain their audacious decision to make a three and a half hour film with an intermission, share thoughts on the state of the country, and Corbet reveals his thoughts about Trump’s plans to demolish brutalist federal buildings.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode