Ema SasicPalm Springs Desert Sun
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Adrien Brody has seen the world through the various complex characters he's brought to life in film. On Jan. 3, one of those characters is bringing him back to a place he loves: Palm Springs.
Brody has received several best actor nominations — including from the Golden Globe and Critics Choice — and won praise among critics for his work in "The Brutalist." His work in the film will be honored with the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor, at the Palm Springs International Film Awards on Jan. 3.
In Brady Corbet's 3 1/2-hour drama, Brody plays László Toth, a visionary Hungarian architect who arrives in America post-World War II hoping to rebuild his life, reinvigorate his career and reunite with his wife Erzsébet (Felicity Jones) after being forced apart during wartime. Settling in Pennsylvania, László's life changes forever when he meets wealthy and prominent industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce), who recognizes his talent and offers him a chance at greatness — but at a heavy cost.
In a recent interview with The Desert Sun, the actor shared how relaxing the desert environment is to him, as well as his passion for architecture. The latter was especially apropos because "The Brutalist" explores an architectural movement that coincided with the mid-century modern movement Palm Springs is known for.
Brody feels an 'energetic shift' in Palm Springs
Brody has been a frequent guest at the Film Awards. He presented the International Star Award to Gary Oldman in 2012 and the Rising Star Award to Bryce Dallas Howard in 2005.
Although he didn't share a specific favorite memory from the ceremony, Brody said he's loves being at the festival.
"There's an energetic shift when I get to Palm Springs," he said. "There's a serenity and an ability to focus in a way that, once you're out of the cacophony and craziness of Los Angeles, it's really nice."
The actor won't have too much time to spend in the desert on this coming trip — he has to get back to Los Angeles for the Golden Globes on Jan. 5 — but he said he's "grateful and so excited and looking forward to coming to Palm Springs."
A match made in architectural heaven
Before Brody dived into the world of brutalist architecture for his latest film, he said he's always appreciated architecture and its varied styles.
Brutalist architecture is a style that emerged during the 1950s following World War II. It's often characterized by minimalist constructions that showcase bare building materials and structural elements, and utilizes raw concrete or masonry and large geometric forms with simple, clean lines, according to Architectural Digest.
"I have a pretty eclectic taste and I actually love brutalist works," Brody said. "Some brutalist works are just so spectacular, and I just love how they have this forward-thinking, futuristic quality, especially of that era and especially in conversation with what it is an antithesis of from the past."
"It oftentimes was used to rebuild from the struggles, wars and hardships of the past and the kind of forward thinking of both form and function," he continued. "The practicality, but also this personality that's very evident within it. The need to be seen and exist."
Speaking to Palm Springs' signature look, Brody said he's also a fan of mid-century modern architecture, which also emerged around the same time period as brutalist architecture.
Immersing himself in "The Brutalist" gave him more of a "hunger to have time to both see great architecture and perfect my own visions." Brody added that he's been developing and working on an art studio for years. However, as many architects and builders can relate to, it's been difficult to get his hands on certain materials following the COVID-19 pandemic.
'The Brutalist' allowed the actor to honor his family's sacrifices
Other than his admiration for architecture, Corbet's film touched Brody in a personal way with his family's immigration story.
After receiving his Golden Globe nomination, Brody wrote on an Instagram post that, in addition to celebrating the film, "you also honor the struggles and triumphs of my mother, my grandparents, and the many others who’ve emigrated to America." The actor explained that his mother, photographer Sylvia Plachy, was born in Budapest, Hungary, and fled to the United States during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.
"That's what's so unique about this experience, for me to honor the sacrifices and hardships that my ancestors have endured in fleeing conflict," he said. "It's very relatable, especially the journey of coming to America, the hopes and dreams of being an immigrant, and the paradox of the immigrant struggle that, in spite of assimilating and doing all you can to be an upstanding American citizen, you're still oftentimes treated as an outsider or foreigner based on how you sound, cultural differences, etc."
That part of his family story is not one he takes for granted, he said, especially when he considers the life he lives today.
"It informed so much truth for me to convey in this character, so it's very interesting when you have all of that at your disposal to then be able to encounter a role like this," Brody said. "To be able to share that with the world, and the celebration of the cumulative work of the storytelling and everybody's contribution is really honoring the journey of many Europeans coming to America with the hopes of escaping persecution and starting anew."
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
