Filmed in Hungary: The Brutalist
zita kisgergely
In the past, we’ve written about examples of Brutalist architecture to be found in Hungary. But now we’re looking at The Brutalist, a Brady Corbet film about a Hungarian architect and immigrant filmed in Hungary that garnered a twelve-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival this year.
In a recent interview with Brent Lang for Variety, the writer-director Brady Corbet compared movie making with constructing a skyscraper. It makes sense; both endeavours require infrastructure, collaboration and compromise on an immense scale. Corbet’s film is an extension of the analogy as it examines the complex relationship between art and commerce through the lens of an architect’s struggle to bring his vision to life.
The architect in question is the film’s main character, played by Adrien Brody: László Tóth. He’s a Hungarian-Jewish Holocaust survivor who emigrates to the United States after World War II. The film explores Tóth’s complicated relationship with a wealthy industrialist, Harrison Lee Van Buren (played by Guy Pearce), who commissions Tóth to design a starkly modern community centre. But Tóth’s desire to remain true to his artistic vision, despite personal and financial costs, contrasts with Van Buren’s power-hungry manipulation. The film highlights the tension between artist and benefactor, which Corbet sees as reminiscent of Hollywood and other creative industries.
Critics at the Venice Film Festival hailed the three-and-a-half-hour movie as a "masterpiece," likening its dark exploration of power and capitalism to Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood. With a current rating of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is also predicted to become a classic in the vein of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather.
The story of The Brutalist speaks to universal themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the elusive “American Dream.” The title character’s journey is both personal and allegorical, representing the struggle many immigrants have when seeking opportunity abroad, only to find themselves navigating complex (and often exploitative) power dynamics.
Despite being filmed in Hungary for a very sensible $10 million (a fraction of what a studio blockbuster usually costs), the film reportedly has an aura of painstaking craftsmanship. Shot on 70mm film using VistaVision (a technique popular in the 1950s), The Brutalist is clearly designed to replicate the grandeur of classic Hollywood epics.
Adrien Brody. Picture via Wikipedia
Brody brings an additional personal touch to his role in that his mother is herself a Hungarian immigrant who fled during the 1956 Hungarian revolution to start anew in the U.S. The actor has said that he felt an instant “kinship and understanding” for his character.
Felicity Jones plays Brody’s wife in the film. The cast also includes an impressive ensemble of Hungarian actors and industry veterans.
The Brutalist will be released December 20th, 2024.
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Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies, and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.
Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.