Brady Corbet Reflects on the Long Journey of Filmmaking and Family Support

During the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, acclaimed director Brady Corbet shared insights into his filmmaking process, revealing that he is committed to finishing projects no matter how long they take. He described this as a form of obsession, explaining that once he starts a film, he must see it through, even if it spans nearly a decade.

Corbet credited his supportive family—his wife Mona Fastvold and their 10-year-old daughter Adelaide—for helping him stay motivated throughout his lengthy creative endeavors. Despite the personal and financial sacrifices, he emphasizes that his drive stems from a deep-seated compulsion to complete what he begins.

Financially, the process is challenging. Corbet, a 36-year-old Oscar nominee, admitted he hasn’t received earnings from his acclaimed film The Brutalist despite its box office success and Oscar awards. He explained that unless a deal is structured with back-end participation, filmmakers often earn very little, effectively making years of work worth less than minimum wage.

To sustain his family, Corbet noted that he and his wife juggle multiple writing gigs daily. He humorously remarked that he’s “hovering around 50,” acknowledging that this pace is not sustainable forever. Recently, he has partnered with Magna Studios, a company innovating talent-brand collaborations, allowing him to take on more financially rewarding projects.

Magna Studios CEO Davud Karbassioun mentioned their focus on supporting independent filmmakers through brand partnerships and storytelling. Their recent collaborations include brands like Google, Spotify, and Amazon, and they are working on a documentary about the legendary rock band Oasis.

Looking ahead, Corbet is developing a Chinese visual artist documentary and another ambitious film project, which he believes will also take time. He remains patient, emphasizing that good projects naturally require the necessary time to unfold.