Winning Director Brady Corbet Delivers Strong “Auteurist” Statement about Final Cut

“Final-cut tiebreak goes to the director,” the filmmaker said in accepting his movie’s third award.

Brady Corbet wins for 'The Brutalist' at the 2025 Golden Globes. — Brady Corbet accepts the best drama film award. Rich Polk/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Images

But Corbet had plenty on his mind. “I just wanted to leave everyone with something to think about: Final-cut tiebreak goes to the director,” he told the crowd. “It’s sort of a controversial statement. It shouldn’t be. It shouldn’t be controversial at all. I was told that this film was un-distributable. I was told that no one would come out and see it. I was told the film wouldn’t work.”

Corbet noted, “I don’t resent that, but I want to use this as an opportunity to lift up filmmakers — not just my fellow nominees but all of the extraordinary directors in this room. Films don’t exist without the filmmakers. Please, let’s support them. Let’s prop them up.”

He said about his own movie: “No one was asking for a three-and-a-half hour film about a mid-century Jewish architect on 70 millimeter. But it works. So please, just think about it.”Also nominated in the category were Conclave, A Complete Unknown, Dune: Part Two, Nickel Boys and September 5.

Eight-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close presented the award.

The Brutalist earned 7 GG nominations ahead of Sunday’s ceremony. The film won three prizes, including best actor in a drama film for star Adrien Brody. Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce were also nominated for their roles in the feature about an architect fleeing Europe after World War II.

My Oscar Book:

Corbet was grateful for this spotlight: “Sincere thanks for giving our film further visibility with such recognition. It is extraordinarily meaningful for a film like this that a few short months ago had the odds stacked against it.”

Oscar Directors: Corbet, Brady, Winner for “The Brutalist”–Champions Final Cut to Filmmakers

Winning Director Brady Corbet Delivers Strong “Auteurist” Statement about Final Cut

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