The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, is a powerful drama featuring an outstanding cast, including Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce. The film follows the journey of a visionary architect and his family as they navigate exile, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of artistic integrity. Upon its premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, it won five awards, including the prestigious Silver Lion. It was subsequently nominated for seven awards at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, winning three for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director, and Best Motion Picture – Drama. Additionally, it received nine nominations at the 30th Critics' Choice Awards and ten nominations at the 97th Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Before the screening, MEP Zoltán Tarr (Hungary, EPP) delivered opening remarks, underscoring the enduring importance of the cinematic experience for society. He reflected on the unique ability of cinema to inspire, connect, and bring people together, reinforcing its cultural and social significance.
Beatrice Flammini from Universal Pictures, who served as Master of Ceremony for the evening, shared her personal reflection on The Brutalist, recalling her experience watching the film in Venice. She described it as a profound and deeply moving work, reinforcing the power of storytelling in cinema and underlining that the film must be watched on the big screen.
Robert Heslop, Secretary General of FIAD, spoke about the vital role of film distributors in bringing diverse films to diverse audiences across Europe. He highlighted the strong results for theatrical distribution in 2024, celebrating the hundreds of millions of cinemagoers who experienced films on the Big Screen. He also noted that 2025 is shaping up to be another promising year for cinemas. However, he reminded attendees that the success of theatrical distribution is never guaranteed and is directly influenced by political decisions made in Brussels. He encouraged policymakers to consider the impact of their choices on the viability of the sector, emphasising the importance of a strong, interconnected film ecosystem.
Laura Houlgatte, CEO of UNIC, provided a broader industry perspective, emphasising the essential role of cinemas in Europe’s economic, social, and cultural fabric. She highlighted how cinemas stand at the intersection of competitiveness, democracy, and culture, underlining their contribution beyond entertainment. She stressed the importance of collaboration across the film industry’s value chain, noting that exhibitors, distributors, and producers rely on one another to bring the best stories to audiences. Reaffirming UNIC’s commitment to preserving the unique magic of the Big Screen, she underscored the necessity of key principles such as territoriality and the fight against piracy to sustain a thriving film industry.
This event marked a fantastic start to 2025, celebrating the immense value of theatrical distribution and cinema-going. We extend our sincere thanks to our co-organising partners at FIAD, MPA, and Universal Pictures, as well as to UGC for hosting the evening. A special thank you to MEP Zoltán Tarr and to all those who joined us for an unforgettable night of cinema.
We look forward to welcoming you to our next screening in Brussels—stay tuned!