Cinema in London cancels Peter Luisi’s film about AI
Published: Thursday, Jun 20th 2024, 14:30
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A film about a filmmaker who realizes that artificial intelligence is better than he is - screenwriter Peter Luisi wants to spark a debate. The controversy comes sooner than expected.
Can artificial intelligence (AI) write a screenplay? Zurich filmmaker Peter Luisi ("Bon Schuur Ticino") has tried and turned it into a film with real actors and actresses. He wanted to spark debate about the use of AI in the film industry, but was kicked out of the selected cinema in London before a screening planned for this weekend.
Negative comments on X
The Prince Charles Cinema in Soho got cold feet because there were negative comments on the announcement on the short news portal X. "It's a shame," Luisi told the German Press Agency on Thursday. "I don't think bowing to such comments is the right way to go. But I respect that."
The film "The Last Screenwriter" is about screenwriter Jack, who is shocked to discover that AI writes better scripts than he does. "Hello Jack, I'm your new screenwriting assistant," says a nice female voice in the movie to Jack, who then takes over his work. She appears to be talking to the author.
Viewers don't actually notice the AI because it was filmed with real actors in real locations. Luisi wanted to use the film to start a debate on the topic, as he told dpa. "I'm a screenwriter myself and I see the problem," he said. "Closing our eyes and pretending AI isn't there is not an option. The status quo no longer exists, we have to come to terms with it. Let's talk about it." He also doesn't know where AI is going in the film business. He is personally rather old-fashioned and likes classic storytelling.
The cinema, which now does not want to show the film, wrote on X that in the comments on the announcement of the film, many had expressed great concerns about the use of AI instead of a screenwriter. The cinema has therefore decided not to show the film. "Our decision is based on our passion for movies and listening to those who support what we are doing." Luisi says the commentators were unaware that it was a non-profit film intended to spark debate.
The use of AI in the film industry was already an issue during the months-long strike in Hollywood last year. The agreement that ended the strike offers protection against the unregulated use of AI for the first time. Actors and actresses were able to agree that they must expressly consent to digital imitation via AI.
Movie will be free to watch
Luisi now wants to show the film only for employees and guests in another cinema in London. It was shot in English. "The AI script is amazingly good," he says. After the premiere was canceled, "the film's festival and cinema career died", he says. He wants to make the film available for free on the associated website soon. He doesn't need to earn any money with it.
Incidentally, Luisi produced his screenwriter film with funding that he owes to the success of "Bon Schuur Ticino".
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