Standing Ovation in Venice for Hungarian Architect Drama
“The Brutalist” Premieres at Venice Film Festival
“The Brutalist,” a historical drama telling the story of immigrants pursuing the “American dream” through the character of Holocaust survivor and architect László Tóth, premiered at the Venice International Film Festival. Directed by Brady Corbet, the three-and-a-half-hour film received long minutes of standing ovations from the audience, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Adrien Brody, of Hungarian descent, portrays the lead role of László Tóth and expressed a deep connection to the character, drawing inspiration from his mother’s life story. Brody’s mother, Sylvia Plachy, fled to the United States after the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, where she became a renowned artist.
Alongside Brody, Felicity Jones plays Elizabeth, while the film also features performances by Guy Pearce, Isaach de Bankolé, and Joe Alwyn, as well as Hungarian actors in smaller roles. Dávid Jancsó, known for his work on films like “Delta” and “White God,” was responsible for the editing of “The Brutalist.”
The film follows László Tóth’s journey from Hungary to the United States during the Rákosi-era, where he strives to achieve the American dream. Shot on 70mm film using analogue techniques, the production of “The Brutalist” spanned over seven years and required shipping reels of film to Italy.
Receiving critical acclaim from The Hollywood Reporter, the film was praised as “a monumental symphony of the immigrant experience.” The Venice Film Festival, known as one of the world’s oldest and prestigious film festivals, provides filmmakers with a platform to express their artistic vision freely.
In conclusion, “The Brutalist” stands as a testament to the immigrant experience and the pursuit of dreams in a new land, resonating with audiences at the Venice International Film Festival.
