Brady Corbet Addresses AI Controversy in “The Brutalist”

Filmmaker Defends Use of Technology Amid Backlash from Critics

Brady Corbet, the director of the upcoming film The Brutalist, has responded to swirling online controversy over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the film’s production. The dialogue editing process, discussed by film editor Dávid Jancsó, involved Ukrainian AI tools to fine-tune the Hungarian accents of lead actors Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones. As social media reactions ranged from outrage to applause, Corbet took the opportunity to clarify the nature and purpose of the AI technology used.

The Background of the Controversy

In an interview with Red Shark News, editor Dávid Jancsó revealed that the filmmakers employed AI from the Ukrainian company Respeecher to enhance the authenticity of the Hungarian dialogue. Jancsó explained that while Brody and Jones completed extensive work with a dialect coach to perfect their Hungarian accents, AI was used to adjust specific sounds. He noted that the process focused on subtle improvements, such as refining vowel pronunciations to make the language sound as accurate as possible for native speakers.

“I know that [Hungarian] is one of the most difficult languages to learn to pronounce,” Jancsó said during the interview. This technical choice, made under a budget of less than $10 million, drew immediate scrutiny, with many critics arguing that the use of AI should disqualify the film from awards consideration.

Corbet’s Defense of Authenticity

In a statement issued to The Hollywood Reporter, Corbet emphasized that the performances of Brody and Jones remained wholly intact. “Adrien and Felicity’s performances are completely their own,” he stated. Corbet clarified that the aim of using the AI technology was not to alter the actors’ performances but to preserve the authenticity of their Hungarian delivery.

He further explained that the adjustments made by Respeecher were strictly limited to the Hungarian dialogue, with no modifications applied to any English language segments. “This was a manual process, done by our sound team and Respeecher in post-production,” Corbet added. “It was done with the utmost respect for the craft.”

A New Era of Filmmaking Technology

The use of AI in filmmaking is a quickly evolving subject and has sparked heated debates across the industry. The comments made by Jancsó and Corbet bring the question of AI’s place in film production to the forefront. Jancsó pointed out that technology had been creatively used before, stating, “There’s nothing in the film using AI that hasn’t been done before. It just makes the process a lot faster.”

Interestingly, AI was also involved in other parts of The Brutalist, as Jancsó indicated its use in generating architectural designs representing those envisioned by Brody’s character, László Tóth. These designs, he clarified, were not fully created by AI but rather served as inspiration for hand-drawn illustrations created by production designer Judy Becker and her team.

Reactions from the Public

Online discourse has been intense, with opinions divided on the implications of AI usage in the film. Some users took to social media to express concerns about the potential impact on awards consideration. “Altering a performance with AI should automatically disqualify someone from these awards shows,” one user noted on X. Others countered that modifying certain sounds does not detract from the depth or emotional weight of the actors’ performances.

These debates linger not only around The Brutalist, but also about the broader implications of AI in the film industry. Critics argue that the use of AI technology could set a troubling precedent for how performers are evaluated and recognized for their work.

Future Implications for AI in Film

As the conversation continues to unfold, the implications for the future of AI in film remain significant. With companies like Respeecher at the forefront of audio AI technology, the potential for improving the quality and efficiency of film production is evident. However, the growing integration of AI also raises ethical questions about authenticity and artistry in the profession.

Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist is poised to challenge conventional boundaries while also inviting scrutiny into how technology is applied in the film industry. As the film approaches its release, audiences and critics alike will be watching closely to see how these debates influence perceptions of the actors’ performances and the film’s overall artistic integrity.

Key Takeaways

• Corbet defends the use of AI technology in The Brutalist, emphasizing the intention to maintain the authenticity of actors’ performances.
• The controversies surrounding AI usage highlight broader discussions in the industry about the role of technology in creative processes.
• Online opinions remain sharply divided, reflecting apprehensions over what AI means for award recognitions and the future of acting.
• The film’s context as a period piece adds layers to the discussion as it tackles complex themes of human experience against the backdrop of post-World War II immigration.

As the conversation surrounding AI in filmmaking continues, The Brutalist serves as a case study in how technology and artistry intersect in modern cinema.