László Toth’s “chair”, the first piece he designed in America, reminiscent of fellow Hungarian Marcel Breuer’s work in the 1920s. Courtesy A24. All rights reserved.
THE BRUTALIST, lauded by critics as a new American masterpiece, presents the storyline of a Hungarian architect who barely survives the Holocaust, immigrates to the US, barely survives, flourishes, barely survives again...art and commerce do battle. In the video below, Set Decorator Patricia Cuccia SDSA and Production Designer Judy Becker speak with Andrew Baseman SDSA about setting the foundations, accuracy and careful curating.
1950’s America...
Aware of the subtle but definitive differences between American and European furnishings and utilities...even light switches, plugs & electrical outlets...before setting off to Hungary, where the film was shot, Set Decorator Patti Cuccia SDSA filled a container with American Colonial furniture, vintage American wallpaper, all the period electrical accoutrement, and more. The container arrived the day before the American furniture store set was to be shot!
Thankfully, most of the furnishings for the rest of the film could be found in Europe, or manufactured to Production Designer Judy Becker’s unique designs.
Miller & Sons, Philadelphia. Hungarian architect & refugee László Toth [Adrien Brody, center] reunites with his cousin who owns a furniture business in Philadelphia, where Toth will reside in a small room and design new, more contemporary-style pieces. Alessandro Nivola as cousin Attila, Emma Laird as Attila’s wife Audrey. Images courtesy A24. All rights reserved.
The basis for Becker’s design of László Toth’s new chair. [See photo at top of page and click on the video to learn more about this!] Images courtesy A24. All rights reserved.
The story, and László’s life, take a turn when he is hired for a unique project. The children of a wealthy industrialist hire Toth to redo their father’s study, as a surprise. It is, indeed, that.
Harrison Lee Van Buren Sr’s original Art Deco study. László Toth [Adrien Brody, right] hopes to reconfigure it to take advantage of the space’s assets. Courtesy A24. All rights reserved.
Toth’s redesign of Harrison Lee Van Buren Sr’s study includes revolving doors which cover the bookshelves within. Here a behind-the-scenes shot of crew filling the bookcases and setting up for the grand shot. Courtesy A24. All rights reserved.
The unveiling of Toth’s redesign of Harrison Lee Van Buren Sr’s study, his capturing of light...the single chair stationed in the circle of light created by the rays streaming through the skylight. Note the now closed doors of the library stacks. Courtesy A24. All rights reserved. Courtesy A24. All rights reserved.
Much ensues from there, you must watch the film! But first, you may wish to watch the video above, to get some deep background before you settle into the 3+ hour experience. Thank you to Andy, Patti and Judy for the fascinating conversation!
