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The Brutalist Sparks Controversy Over AI Usage in Production

The Brutalist Sparks Controversy Over AI Usage in Production

“The Brutalist,” expected to be a frontrunner in the Oscar race, has ignited controversy following the revelation that the film’s editor utilized artificial intelligence to enhance Hungarian accents.

Director Brady Corbet’s post-World War II epic, starring Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, tells the story of an architect who escapes Europe to rebuild his life in America. The controversy arose after editor Dávid Jancsó disclosed in an interview with Red Shark News that AI was used to refine the actors’ accents.

As the Oscar nominations approach, questions have arisen about whether “The Brutalist” should be considered for major awards, given its use of AI, especially after the film’s success at the Golden Globes where it won best picture debut.

How Was AI Used?

Jancsó explained that the production collaborated with the Ukrainian software company Respeecher to enhance Brody’s and Jones’ Hungarian dialogue. However, they emphasized that AI was not applied to the film’s English-language conversations.

“I know that Hungarian is one of the most difficult languages to pronounce,” Jancsó stated. “We coached the actors well, but we wanted to perfect their accents so that locals wouldn’t notice any difference.”

When initial attempts to address difficult pronunciations through automated dialogue replacement (ADR) failed, the team sought alternative solutions, and the actors recorded their voices using AI technology. Jancsó noted that their performances were preserved while enhancing specific sounds.

Additionally, AI was leveraged to create architectural drawings that aligned with the aesthetics of Brody’s character, but no AI tools were used to render the buildings seen in the film.

Director’s Response

Corbet defended the use of AI in a statement, asserting that the actors’ performances remained authentic. He clarified that Respeecher technology was only applied to Hungarian dialogue editing, aiming to ensure accuracy without altering the performances. Corbet added that no AI was involved in the rendering of visuals, as all images were hand-drawn.

“The Brutalist” emphasizes human creativity and collaboration, and Corbet told reporters he is proud of what the team has accomplished.

Broader Implications

“The Brutalist” is not alone in its use of AI; other Oscar contenders like “Emilia Pérez,” which won accolades at the Golden Globes, have also employed similar technology.

The conversation around AI in Hollywood has intensified, especially following the dual writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023, with concerns about job security and the potential replacement of creative work by machines.

Notable studios have faced backlash for their AI initiatives, including Lionsgate, which allowed filmmakers to “augment” their work with AI, and Blumhouse, which partnered with Meta to create short films using AI.

Blumhouse CEO Jason Blum defended his company’s actions, explaining that understanding AI tools is essential for the future of filmmaking.

As the industry navigates these innovations, the discourse surrounding the use of AI continues to evolve, raising questions about its impact on creativity and artistic integrity.

Credit: NBC

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