The highly anticipated film The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, has become one of the frontrunners for this year's Academy Awards, attracting not just accolades but also significant controversy over its production techniques. Spanning over three and a half hours, the film is described as both an epic drama and a bold inquiry of the immigrant experience through the lens of architecture and human ambition.
At its core, The Brutalist follows László Tóth, played by Adrien Brody, a Hungarian architect who survived the Holocaust and endeavored to make his mark on American soil. His struggles are juxtaposed with themes of capitalism and exploitation, particularly involving his relationship with business magnate Harrison Lee Van Buren, portrayed with intensity by Guy Pearce. Critics have found the film engaging, yet some assert the narrative lacks depth as it meanders through philosophical ideals yet raises relevant social commentary.
Of especial note is how the film incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) during post-production to refine the Hungarian dialogues performed by Brody and Felicity Jones, leading to fierce debates about authenticity and creativity. According to editor Dávid Jancsó, the production turned to the Ukrainian company Respeecher for assistance with the Hungarian dialogue, as the language's unique characteristics pose challenges for non-native speakers. He disclosed, “I am a native Hungarian speaker and I know it is one of the most difficult languages to learn to pronounce.” This move sought to not only perfect the actors' accents but also to safeguard the performances’ integrity.
Responses to the use of AI span the spectrum, with industry experts weighing the potential ethical ramifications. Rupal Patel, a professor of communication sciences at Northeastern University, emphasized, “There was an artistic reason for doing it,” noting the goal was to make the film accessible for Hungarian-speaking viewers. Yet, concerns persist about AI's role potentially undermining traditional acting processes. Rébecca Kleinberger, another academic, voiced caution, asserting, “If you remove [language mastery] from a movie, does it nullify some of the authenticity of the actors’ jobs themselves?”
Brady Corbet addressed the backlash, clarifying, “Adrien and Felicity’s performances are completely their own,” and affirmed the AI was strictly used for dialogue editing to improve specific vowels and letters. He also dispelled rumors about digital manipulation of the architectural scenes, emphasizing every aspect of the visuals was artistically drawn by hand.
Despite the controversies surrounding its production, The Brutalist has begun garnering serious accolades, including ten Academy Award nominations this year, positioning it alongside blockbuster contenders like Emilia Pérez and Wicked. The film has made headlines not just for its narrative but also the artistic bravery demonstrated by its creative team attempting to reshape cinematic norms.
The awards buzz has heightened discussions about the future of filmmaking. Many industry insiders feel The Brutalist reflects broader cultural tensions, especially as the motion picture industry grapples with the realities of AI’s encroachment on art and performance. The debate is not new; many actors and writers remain skeptical, particularly after strikes were undertaken due to fears of job losses to AI technologies.
Commenting on the industry’s situation, Erica Knox, senior research and policy analyst at the Writers Guild of America, echoed significant concerns, indicating, “Undermining human creativity means it's less meaningful and enjoyable for everyone.” The potent worries around AI reflect larger existential fears about automation potentially stripping the soul from artistic endeavors.
Historically, Hollywood has always wielded technology as it advanced, from CGI to sound editing. Yet, critics argue AI could take this progression one step too far, diluting the human element underlying filmmaking. Scott Mann, co-founder of Flawless AI, believes such tools could democratize filmmaking by cutting costs and improving efficiency. “Filmmaking is prohibitively expensive,” he argues, adding, “With reduced timings and costs, you start getting back to originality.”
The struggle to balance innovation and traditional craftsmanship is exacerbated by growing scrutiny as the Academy moves toward the 95th Oscar ceremony on March 2. The Brutalist, starring award-winning leads and helmed by a director known for pushing boundaries, stands as both emblematic of current industry achievements and symptomatic of its deepest anxieties.
With the conversation on AI and artistic integrity now squarely tabled, it remains to be seen how this will affect the film's reception at the Oscars and whether audiences can reconcile the creativity of human and machine. Regardless of the challenges posed by technology, The Brutalist stands as testimony to the ambition and struggle inherent to cinematic storytelling.