Brady Corbet’s latest film The Brutalist is basking in the limelight with 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Director and Best Screenplay.
But here’s the kicker: despite all the critical acclaim, the director says his wallet’s still as empty as a theater after a bad review. Yep, Corbet has seen absolutely nothing from the project.
On the WTF podcast with Marc Maron, the director revealed that while the accolades are rolling in, the cash sure isn’t.
“I just directed three ads in Portugal,” Corbet shared, “and that’s the first time in years I’ve actually earned anything.” He continued, explaining that he and his partner, Mona Fastvold, have been living off paychecks from three years ago. Yikes.
Before The Brutalist, Corbet’s Vox Lux (2018) wasn’t exactly a box office darling. But his latest film, which follows a Hungarian immigrant post-WWII, has earned praise — and it’s even scored actor Adrien Brody his first Oscar nomination in over two decades. But none of that means a dime for Corbet.
The director further described the grueling reality of the awards season grind. “I’ve been on the road for six months, traveling every two or three days.
And I don’t get paid for it,” he explained. Sounds like a filmmaker’s dream, right? Not so much. Corbet’s fellow directors aren’t immune to the struggle either. He shared that James Mangold, the director behind A Complete Unknown, is also living paycheck-to-paycheck while working the awards circuit.
To add insult to injury, Corbet hasn’t had a day off since Christmas. Yes, you read that right. No time for a vacation, no time to breathe.
Just endless interviews, press rounds, and more. If that doesn’t scream “Hollywood hustle,” I don’t know what does.
Article updated 4 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
