“The Brutalist” Director Brady Corbet Struggles Financially Despite Oscar Buzz

Brady Corbet, the hotshot director behind the Oscar-nominated film “The Brutalist,” dropped a bombshell during his recent chat on the “WTF with Marc Maron” podcast: he’s made absolutely zero income from his labor of love, a film that’s racked up tons of accolades. Now, before you roll your eyes thinking he must be swimming in dough, let me break it down for you. Despite earning 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay, Corbet and his co-writer/wife, Mona Fastvold, have seen none of that translated into cold hard cash. Instead, they’ve had to scrape by on a paycheck from three years ago.

In a candid moment, Corbet described how his recent ad directing gigs in Portugal marked the first time he’s made any money in years. “Yes, actually, zero,” he confirmed to Maron, emphasizing the harsh reality most filmmakers face during award season. “It’s like a six-month interrogation,” he quipped about the relentless media circuit, which has included tiring travels and countless interviews that leave little room for sleep, let alone another paycheck.

While “The Brutalist” has garnered critical acclaim and pulled in about $31 million at the box office since its December release, you’d think that would equal a nice payday. Think again! Corbet revealed that he isn’t being compensated for promoting his film, which can take up more time than a full-time job. He expressed that he isn’t alone in this struggle, pointing out that he’s talked to numerous filmmakers in similar predicaments—many are juggling rent payments while their films bask in Oscar spotlight.

It’s wild when you consider that it took Corbet a whopping eight years to bring “The Brutalist” to life on screen with a budget under $10 million. It’s a testament to the difficult balance between passion projects and financial stability in the film industry. With accolades pouring in, such as Golden Globe wins for leading actor Adrien Brody, you can’t help but wonder if there’s a fundamental flaw in the system that puts award-winning creators in these kinds of financial predicaments.

Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and Us Weekly, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter