The Palm Springs International Film Awards will honor Adrien Brody with the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor. Brody's role in "The Brutalist" has earned him this recognition. In the film, he plays architect László Toth, who rebuilds his life in America after fleeing Europe at the end of World War II.
Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi praised Brody's performance: “In The Brutalist, Adrien Brody delivers a stunning performance as architect László Toth following his escape to America to rebuild his life, having been forced to flee Europe at the end of the war. Brody’s mesmerizing portrayal showcases the depth of human dignity in the face of incredible suffering.”
Brody joins other honorees including Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati for "Conclave," Colman Domingo (Spotlight Award), Mikey Madison (Breakout Performance Award), and Emilia Pérez (Vanguard Award) presented to Jacques Audiard and actors Karla Sofia Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez and Edgar Ramírez.
Past recipients of the Desert Palm Achievement Award include Riz Ahmed for "Sound of Metal," Jeff Bridges for "Crazy Heart," Bradley Cooper for "Silver Linings Playbook," Daniel Day-Lewis for "There Will Be Blood," Adam Driver for "Marriage Story," Colin Farrell for "The Banshees of Inisherin," Colin Firth for "The King’s Speech," Andrew Garfield for "Tick, Tick… Boom!,” Matthew McConaughey for “Dallas Buyers Club,” Cillian Murphy for “Oppenheimer,” Gary Oldman for “Mank,” Sean Penn for “Milk,” Brad Pitt for “Moneyball” and Eddie Redmayne for “The Theory of Everything.” Some have gone on to win or be nominated for Academy Awards.
"The Brutalist" is set post-war and follows László Toth's journey as he settles in Pennsylvania. There he is recognized by industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren but faces challenges along with success.
Adrien Brody previously won an Academy Award and Cesar Award as Best Actor in Roman Polanski's "The Pianist." He has worked with directors such as Peter Jackson ("King Kong"), Ken Loach ("Bread and Roses"), Barry Levinson ("Liberty Heights"), Spike Lee ("Summer of Sam") and frequently collaborates with Wes Anderson.
The Palm Springs International Film Society aims to promote film art through education. It hosts events like the Palm Springs International Film Festival and ShortFest annually.