Adrien Brody's heartfelt speech highlights LA fire tragedy
Adrien Brody, who received the award for Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist, spoke movingly about the victims of the fires in Los Angeles during a ceremony in New York.
During Wednesday's New York Film Critics Circle Awards gala at Tao Downtown in Manhattan, Adrien Brody was honoured for his portrayal of László Tóth in Brady Corbet's film "The Brutalist." In his speech, the actor expressed deep sympathy for those affected by the fire tragedy in Los Angeles.
"My heart is with all the families, animals, and our colleagues. Most of the homes on the western, coastal side have disappeared. From the Palisades inland, this is our community. I want to thank and appreciate the courage of the first responders, their dedication, and significant work that deserves our recognition tonight," he said from the stage, tears in his eyes.
Not only did Brody refer to the disaster. The gala host, David Sims, and Sean Baker, awarded for Best Screenplay for the film "Anora," also expressed their support for the residents of Los Angeles. Brady Corbet, the director of "The Brutalist," while receiving his award for Best Film, shared words of encouragement, recalling that his home in New York burned down a few years before he shot the film "Vox Lux" in 2018.
Brody also remembered to thank his co-star, Guy Pearce. "I loved working with you every day, and I assume that many of you have seen the film, but for those who haven't, Guy created such a complex and subtle portrayal of Van Buren. I don't think I'd be standing here today if not for his outstanding performance," he confessed.
The fires broke out on January 7 after strong winds ravaged areas around Los Angeles, particularly Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon. On Wednesday, just before 6 PM Eastern Time, another fire erupted in the Hollywood Hills, forcing iconic places like the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Magic Castle to close. Among those who lost their homes were Adam Brody, Leighton Meester, and Anna Faris.
