Brady Corbet, director of the Oscar-nominated film "The Brutalist," recently opened up about the financial realities of independent filmmaking. In a candid conversation on the "WTF with Marc Maron" podcast, Corbet revealed that he and his wife, Mona Fastvold, haven't earned any income from their last two films, "The Brutalist" and "Vox Lux." To make ends meet, Corbet resorted to directing commercials, marking the first time he's earned money in years. He highlighted a concerning trend within the industry, stating that many filmmakers with Oscar-nominated movies struggle to pay their bills.

Corbet emphasized that the promotional demands of a film often prevent filmmakers from pursuing other paying projects. The extensive promotional period for "The Brutalist," which premiered in September, has left him with no time for other work, resulting in zero income for six months. He explained that filmmakers are typically not compensated for promotional activities, which can significantly impact their earnings.

"The Brutalist" tells the story of László Tóth, a Jewish architect played by Adrien Brody, who immigrates to America after surviving the Holocaust. The film follows Tóth's journey as he strives to earn enough money to bring his wife and niece to the United States and encounters a wealthy individual who commissions him to build a community center. The film received ten Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Leading Actor for Brody.

"I’ve spoken to many filmmakers that have the films that are nominated this year that can’t pay their rent. I mean, that’s a real thing." 

— Brady Corbet

Brody has already garnered significant recognition for his performance, winning a Golden Globe, Critics' Choice Award, and BAFTA. He is considered a strong contender for the Best Leading Actor Oscar. In an interview with Variety, Brody expressed gratitude for being part of a film that addresses a significant historical tragedy with a poignant and unsentimental approach.

This is not Brody's first encounter with Oscar success. In 2003, at the age of 29, he became the youngest actor to win the Best Leading Actor award for his role in "The Pianist."