Brady Corbet Reveals ‘The Brutalist’ Earned Him Nothing: A Stark Reality for Oscar-Nominated Directors Struggling to Make Ends Meet

Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist is a strong contender this awards season, yet the indie filmmaker hasn’t made any money from it. On a recent episode of Marc Maron’s WTF podcast, Corbet opened up about the challenges of making films. After working on ads in Portugal, he finally saw some income after years of drought.

Corbet, who directed The Brutalist with a script he co-wrote with his wife and collaborator, Mona Fastvold, shared that they made nothing from their last two films. When Maron expressed disbelief, Corbet confirmed, “Yes. Actually, zero.” He explained that he and Mona had been living off savings from three years ago.

Many filmmakers feel this pinch. Corbet mentioned that he has spoken to others whose films are also nominated this year, yet they struggle to pay basic bills. This reality is common in the industry. Once a film premieres, directors like Corbet often go on extensive promotional tours to boost their film’s visibility. However, they don’t get paid for this work. “I’ve been doing this for six months and had zero income because I don’t have any time to go to work,” Corbet said, emphasizing the sacrifices involved.

He described the promotional hustle as a “six-month interrogation,” filled with constant travel and weekend work. “I haven’t had a day off since Christmas,” he noted, revealing that he conducted around 90 interviews in just one week during his press tour.

Corbet also discussed his journey from actor to director and the film’s exploration of themes like male ego and the relationship between art and legacy. His work has garnered attention, including a recent article by Natalie Portman in Deadline. Portman praised Corbet’s bold approach to filmmaking, particularly with The Brutalist, which she believes is reshaping how films are created today.

The Brutalist has received multiple nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film tells the story of László Tóth, a Hungarian Jewish architect played by Adrien Brody who survives the Holocaust and emigrates to the U.S. His struggle to rebuild his life, career, and marriage unfolds over three decades in post-war America, intertwining themes of creativity and exploitation.