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When your brother is in the running for four Oscars, most would expect you to be cheering him on from the Dolby Theatre or at the very least, glued to the television. However, Benny Safdie had other plans. According to Page Six, while his brother Josh Safdie was a major contender on Oscar night, Benny opted for courtside seats at Madison Square Garden to watch the Knicks play.
The Safdie brothers, known for co-directing five films together, gained significant acclaim with their 2019 crime drama, “Uncut Gems.” This time, Josh took the helm solo with “Marty Supreme,” which was a standout in this year’s Oscars, earning nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor for Timothée Chalamet, as well as nods for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing.
Despite the significant Oscar buzz surrounding his brother’s film, Benny, a devoted Knicks fan, couldn’t resist the allure of a live game at the Garden.
Ultimately, Benny’s decision may have paid off. While “Marty Supreme” left the Oscars empty-handed, he witnessed his beloved Knicks secure a thrilling 110-107 victory over the Golden State Warriors. It seems Benny’s loyalty to his team was rewarded, even if Hollywood wasn’t as kind to his brother’s film.
And it seems like he made the right call, too. While “Marty Supreme” picked up no prizes whatsoever over in Hollywood, the Knicks at least rewarded Benny’s loyalty with a 110-107 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
We suspect that his big brother would understand — as would Chalamet. In January, Josh told The Post that he and the actor bonded over their mutual “unhealthy” obsession with the Knicks, and that during the Golden Globes they watched from Josh’s phone as their team beat the Trail Blazers.
The filmmaker told us that it was the brothers’ babysitter who got them into the team.
“[She was a] scary, scary fan,” Josh said. “And we watched every game. She watched every game, and then when she would be babysitting, let’s say at night, we would watch the games together. And she was a screamer. Then, I became obsessed with it.”
Hoops also played a major role in “Uncut Gems,” with Adam Sandler’s character’s risky gambling moves shaping the course of the story. NBA legend Kevin Garnett also played a pivotal acting role.
Benny’s rep didn’t get back to us.