During the 83rd Venice Film Festival, Maggie Gyllenhaal, the jury president, announced her decision to forgo the use of artificial intelligence for her short film inspired by the life of Marilyn Monroe. Describing quality issues, she shared her experience regarding the challenges faced during production, particularly related to the digital transformation of the iconic actress. This choice raises questions about the future of cinema in the age of AI.
Maggie Gyllenhaal and her cinematic project
The film directed by Gyllenhaal, titled Flesh Impact, lasting 17 minutes, explores an alternative vision of Marilyn Monroe, imagined as a 100-year-old woman. This project is part of the official selection of the Venice Film Festival and represents a bold approach to the death of a 1950s icon. However, the director quickly realized that the artificial intelligence tools offered for this project did not meet her creative expectations.
The limits of AI technologies in cinema
Gyllenhaal explained how the pressure from certain sponsors pushed her to consider AI as a means to save time and money. She mentioned during a discussion in Venice that software editors provide solutions based on licensed content, which raises ethical and artistic dilemmas. Despite these promises, she acknowledged that the quality of productions generated by AI was insufficient, leading to a reevaluation of the creative process and the rejection of several attempts concerning Monroe’s face.
A choice inspired by emotion
In her quest to capture the essence of Marilyn Monroe, Gyllenhaal faced the difficulty of achieving realistic and moving images. She emphasized that the final result obtained with actress Dakota Johnson, portraying Monroe, was significantly more touching and human than anything she could generate with AI technologies. This alternative highlights how human sensitivity remains irreplaceable in cinematic art.
Concerns about AI in the film industry
Gyllenhaal’s testimony sheds light on some of the growing concerns surrounding the use of AI in cinema, including fears of job loss among actors and technicians. The ethical implications of such technology, particularly the risk of appropriating images and personalities, are at the heart of the debates. Other influential figures, such as George Clooney, have expressed their pessimism regarding the consequences of AI on the future of the industry.
Reactions from experts and film industry figures
On the sidelines of the festival, Meredith Whittaker, head of the Signal application, warned against an AI usage dominated by a few billionaires, urging the public to remain vigilant against technological euphoria. During this event, animated discussions occurred about the destructive potential of AI tools in the artistic world, while Alberto Barbera, the festival director, acknowledged the dangers without succumbing to pessimism.
The evolution of cinematic productions
Paradoxically, other projects continue to emerge, illustrating how AI can also open new creative pathways. An Italian documentary titled Be Brave, for example, was entirely realized using artificial intelligence tools and will be presented at this year’s festival. This underscores the different approaches within the industry while highlighting the tensions between technological innovation and artistic tradition.
