The son of one of Wales’ most successful entrepreneurs is in the running for a haul of Oscars at this year’s Academy Awards.
Trevor Matthews, the son of business magnate and Celtic Manor Resort owner Sir Terry Matthews, was among four producers of The Brutalist.
The hit movie has been nominated for ten Oscars having already won three Golden Globes.
Matthews told BBC Radio Wales Drive: “I don’t think you ever expect this kind of success when you’re making art, but it has certainly surpassed our expectations.”
Matthews, 42, grew up in Canada before moving to the US to pursue an acting career and had roles in several short films.
But he has found greater success as a producer having set up Brookstreet Pictures in 2004.
The Los Angeles company is named after the street in the Caerphilly county town of Abercarn where his father Terry grew up.
Trevor Matthews said: “I grew up in Canada but I’ve always felt very proud of my Welsh heritage. Every time I’m there I feel like I’m at home.”
He added: “I’m blessed, I’ve got one of the best role models in the world. I’m so proud of my dad.
“He leads by example and I’m trying to do the same thing.
“I’ve always been interested in film and he’s been supporting me for so long. Everyone in my family has. He gave me the security and the ability to be an entrepreneur.”
Matthews’ production company was behind Bruce Willis’ 2017 film First Kill and the The Forgiven (2021) starring Ralph Fiennes and Jessica Chastain.
But it is the three-and-a-half-hour epic, The Brutalist, starring Adrien Brody, telling the story of a Hungarian holocaust survivor rebuilding his life in post-war America as an architect that has brought global renown.
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Trevor said it had been “quite the journey” overcoming the challenges of multiple delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic to make “a true indie movie”.
“No matter if you’re making a $100m studio movie or a little independent movie, it really is lacing up your boots and getting ready for battle.
“You have to constantly believe in yourself and your team.”
“The film has overcome a lot of adversary to get to where it is today and to see the film have this response has been overwhelming.
“It’s been such an incredible ride and we’re so proud of it.”
The 2025 Academy Awards will be presented on 2 March in Los Angeles.
Credit: BBC
