Director Brady Corbet’s post-WWII epic The Brutalist is at the center of controversy after its editor revealed the use of AI to enhance actors’ Hungarian accents. 

The film, an Oscars frontrunner starring Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, has already garnered accolades, including Golden Globe wins. 

However, the use of Respeecher AI software to refine the Hungarian dialogue has reignited debates about AI’s role in Hollywood, particularly in the aftermath of industry strikes concerning AI regulations.

The Brutalist | Official Trailer HD | A24. Video source: YouTube

Key Points:

• The Brutalist, starring Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, follows an architect rebuilding his life post-WWII and is poised as an Oscars contender.
• Editor Dávid Jancsó disclosed the use of Respeecher AI software to enhance Hungarian accents in the film.
• AI was employed only for refining Hungarian dialogue and certain architectural illustrations, not for English-language lines or major visual effects.
• Director Corbet defended the decision, emphasizing that the actors’ performances remain their own, supported by months of dialect coaching.
• The controversy surfaces amid heightened scrutiny of AI in Hollywood following the 2023 writers and actors strikes.

Key Quotes:

Dávid Jancsó (Editor):

• “I am a native Hungarian speaker and I know that it is one of the most difficult languages to learn to pronounce,” Jancsó told Red Shark News. “It’s an extremely unique language. We coached [Brody and Jones] and they did a fabulous job but we also wanted to perfect it so that not even locals will spot any difference. ”  
• “It is controversial in the industry to talk about AI, but it shouldn’t be. There’s nothing in the film using AI that hasn’t been done before. It just makes the process a lot faster.”

Brady Corbet (Director):

• “Innovative Respeecher technology was used in Hungarian language dialogue editing only, specifically to refine certain vowels and letters for accuracy. No English language was changed. This was a manual process, done by our sound team and Respeecher in post-production.”
• “’The Brutalist’ is a film about human complexity, and every aspect of its creation was driven by human effort, creativity, and collaboration.”

Implications:

The use of AI in The Brutalist highlights the evolving relationship between technology and artistry in filmmaking. While AI can enhance production efficiency and accuracy, it also raises questions about authenticity and the boundaries of its application. 

With Hollywood still reeling from labor strikes focused on AI, this debate could influence awards season and industry practices moving forward. It underscores a larger conversation about balancing innovation with artistic integrity.

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/movies/-brutalist-sparks-controversy-films-editor-reveals-use-ai-rcna188457

AISQSquirrly

I am yourGateway

Gateway to AI Adoption. This is the Future of Marketing.