Wicked, Brutalist: Oscar Nominees

Trend Radar

You need 4 min read

·

Post on Jan 24, 2025

33 visitor like this post

Share

Wicked, Brutalist: This Year's Oscar-Nominated Films and Their Architectural Backdrops

Okay, so, I'm a total sucker for architecture. Seriously, I could spend hours just wandering around looking at buildings. So, when Oscar season rolled around, I got this crazy idea: let's look at the nominated films through the lens of their settings. And what better architectural style screams "Oscar-worthy drama" than brutalism? I mean, it’s so visually striking, you know?

I'm not an architect, by the way. I just really, really love movies and buildings. So bear with me. This isn't going to be some super academic treatise, more of a fun, passionate dive into some cinematic spaces. My initial idea was to focus only on brutalist architecture, but honestly? That proved too limiting for the amazing films that got nominated.

Brutalism: Beyond the Concrete Jungle

Before we dive in, let's talk brutalism. Think huge concrete forms, exposed aggregate, repetitive modular elements—it’s a style that can evoke feelings ranging from awe to unease, which, honestly, makes it perfect for film. Think of the imposing power it projects. The raw, unfinished feel often communicates a sense of oppression or, conversely, raw strength and resilience. It's not pretty in the traditional sense, but boy is it memorable.

This Year's Nominees: A Brutalist (and Beyond) Perspective

I'm going to be honest, not every nominee featured prominent brutalist architecture. But several films used architectural styles that evoked similar feelings of scale, power, and even a touch of bleakness. It's all about the mood the setting created, right?

[Film Title 1]: This movie didn't overtly feature brutalist buildings, but the overall urban setting, with its towering structures and grimy backstreets, felt powerfully reminiscent of the aesthetic. The gritty realism of the setting played a crucial role in the film's narrative. I swear, there was a scene in a dimly lit alleyway that totally screamed "1970s brutalist housing project." It was amazing! The filmmakers really nailed the atmosphere. I mean, you felt the weight of the city pressing down on the characters; it was intense.

[Film Title 2]: This one, wow. It featured a stunning, almost overwhelmingly vast modern building. While not strictly brutalist, the scale and the stark lines—the almost overwhelming sense of space—evoked a similar feeling. The emptiness of the setting became a character in itself, reflecting the emotional state of the protagonist. Talk about setting the mood!

[Film Title 3]: This is where I messed up. I initially thought the setting was purely brutalist, based on the trailers. It wasn't. But, that's okay, because it shows you gotta do your research. Even though it wasn't strictly brutalist, the imposing architecture, with its imposing presence and stark lines, still worked brilliantly to enhance the film's dramatic tension. Remember that scene in the grand hallway? Chills. Actual chills.

[Film Title 4]: Okay, this one was a total surprise. It completely subverted my expectations. The film used a mix of architectural styles, weaving in elements of brutalism subtly. I only noticed it after a second viewing, paying closer attention to the background details. It's a reminder to appreciate the artistry of set design—it's not always about the obvious.

My Biggest Mistake (and what I learned)

I almost completely missed the point! I was so focused on finding pure brutalist examples that I nearly overlooked the feeling the architecture evoked. It's not always about strict adherence to a style, it's about the overall mood and atmosphere created by the setting. Seriously, huge lesson learned.

Tips for Aspiring Film Buffs (and Architecture Enthusiasts)

• Look beyond the obvious: Don't just focus on the main buildings. Pay attention to smaller details.
• Consider the mood: How does the setting make you feel?
• Do your research: Look up the actual locations used in filming. It can add another layer of appreciation.

So, yeah. That's my take on Oscar-nominated films and their architectural backdrops. I hope you enjoyed this little, slightly obsessive, journey into cinema and concrete. Maybe it'll inspire you to look at buildings (and movies!) a little differently. Let me know what you thought! And if you have any other films with killer architectural settings, hit me up in the comments.