Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images
When you’re winning an honor like a Silver Lion for Best Director at the Venice Film Festival, it’s easy to feel frazzled and forget a name or two in your acceptance speech. But it is hard not to notice when Benny Safdie doesn’t thank his brother, Josh Safdie, with whom he co-directed some of his biggest films, during the Venice Closing Ceremony. While on stage, The Smashing Machine director thanked A24 and the film’s producers, Mark Kerr (who the film is based on), and stars Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson, whom Benny refers to as “my friend, my brother, and partner.” After he thanked the crew on the film, Benny moved on to thank his family members, including his mother, stepfather, wife Ava, and his two sons. He then describes how important collaboration is to him when making a film. He cites a quote from The Band’s Rick Danko. “He said, ‘It’s kind of an honor to play together and to share those moments,” and it kind of sums up how I feel when making a movie. We’re playing, we’re listening, and we’re learning. We’re listening to each other and trying to become better on the other side,” Benny concludes.
In 2024, Benny confirmed that he and Josh are parting ways creatively and will no longer co-direct movies together. “It’s a natural progression of what we each want to explore,” he told Variety. “I will direct on my own, and I will explore things that I want to explore. I want that freedom right now in my life.” Both brothers have stayed true to that promise by premiering their solo directorial debuts this year, with similar sports themes; Benny with the now award-winning The Smashing Machine and Josh’s upcoming Christmas release, Marty Supreme. For those holding out on a Safdie brothers reunion, stay strong! Plenty of creative siblings have broken up and reunited, give it a solo project or two.
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