China’s First AI-Generated Feature-Length Film Opens

China has introduced its first full AI-generated feature film, a historical fantasy titled Sanxingdui: Future Past, which premiered in theaters on Friday. However, early ticket sales indicate that interest among viewers has been somewhat lukewarm for this milestone $1.5 million project.

Sanxingdui: Future Past (also referred to as Sanxingdui: Future Memory) draws inspiration from a notable archaeological discovery in Sichuan province that started in 1986. This excavation, known as the Sanxingdui dig, revealed numerous artifacts dating back over 3,000 years, unearthed from a pit in rugged terrain. Among the most remarkable finds were a series of bronze masks and sculptures that displayed unusual features, including oddly shaped eyes and oversized ears, setting them apart from other artifacts from the same period.

The excavation also revealed grand and intricate bronze sculptures that were more sophisticated than those from ancient Sichuan, and it eventually became clear that the site was once a sprawling city, larger than nearly any other from the Bronze Age in China.

A particularly intriguing aspect of the Sanxingdui discovery is that many artifacts seemed to have been intentionally damaged or burned prior to being interred. What’s more, the civilization that once thrived in the area disappeared suddenly, prompting modern scholars to ponder the enigma of an unknown, advanced society that faded from history.

While the details surrounding Sanxingdui appear perplexing and foreboding, some historians suggest a simpler explanation: the city might have served as a religious destination, with the burned and broken objects being sacrificial offerings. As the act of pilgrimage ceased around 1,000 B.C., the city likely slipped from collective memory.

For quite some time, Sanxingdui may have been a significant hub, but as religious interests shifted southward toward the area that is now Chengdu, simpler versions of similar artifacts began to emerge.

In contrast, the AI-generated film portrays a more imaginative narrative that includes elements of sci-fi technology and time travel. In the storyline, future scientists look to the lost civilization of Sanxingdui for insight as the world becomes increasingly dominated by algorithms and computers. A noteworthy statue, the “bronze sacred tree,” is prominently featured in the film’s trailer and is based on one of the more impressive relics discovered during the actual excavation.

This 100-minute film came with a production budget of around 10 million yuan, roughly equivalent to $1.5 million. Interestingly, there are no human actors; everything from characters to settings was generated by AI. A team of a hundred creators labored for two years to produce the film, using ByteDance’s Jimeng AI to generate upwards of 1.2 million images.

In April, the movie received clearance from China’s National Film Administration, a significant moment since it marked the first time the agency approved a completely AI-generated film, which had previously not even been categorized in their documentation.

Following its release, Sanxingdui: Future Past sparked similar discussions in China regarding the blend of art and artificial intelligence that have previously arisen in Western contexts. Concerns have been voiced about AI films potentially undermining traditional filmmaking or inundating audiences with subpar content. Producer Qu Jixiaojiang expressed hope that the film will prove its worth on its own merit, stating, “We hope to make the audience feel that these 100 minutes are worth it.”

Qu acknowledged the challenges that come with being pioneers in this space, adding a philosophical note about early movers facing the heaviest burdens: “Those who move early are not necessarily the luckiest. They may be the ones who have to bear the most pressure.”

The CEO of the production company, Jiang Defu, pushed back against accusations that making a film through AI could be viewed as cheating. He noted that Sanxingdui was crafted by a dedicated team that was as structured as any conventional film crew, thoroughly examining each output for quality. Qu also mentioned that as AI technology rapidly progressed over the two years of production, several scenes were revised multiple times, resulting in significant adjustments to the movie over the course of its creation.

“A.I. has leveled the playing field in terms of tools, but it has widened the gap between creators. Even as production methods change, audiences still expect a story worth watching,” she remarked.

Unfortunately, the initial response from Chinese audiences has been less than promising. Advance ticket sales reportedly totaled only about $9,700, with total box office earnings for the opening weekend projected to remain under $15 million.

“We are the first to try it, the first to get a theatrical release permit, and the first to be tested by the audience. I think that is not easy at all,” Jiang reflected on the preliminary outcomes.

Some critiques focused less on the AI aspects and more on the overall film experience, noting it felt somewhat stiff and unconvincing. One viewer, Iris Yang, commented, “If A.I. generation can match the theatrical experience of Avatar, I think I would be willing to pay for it,” referencing the acclaimed CGI-heavy film directed by James Cameron.

Another viewer, Lilian Gong, echoed dissatisfaction regarding quality in comparison to traditional productions, implying that AI-generated films may still have a long way to go. She noted, “In terms of quality, compared with human production, it still falls short,” and speculated that perhaps in the future, audiences might be more willing to pay for such films, but not at this moment.

A user on Weibo highlighted that many online services, including Douyin (China’s equivalent of TikTok), already provide a vast array of free AI-generated content, making it challenging to sell tickets for an AI movie. They stated, “If it’s free to watch on streaming platforms, it could become legendary. But paying to watch? People are not going to accept it at this stage.”

The production team for Sanxingdui expressed hopes for an international release that might eventually reach Western theaters. In the meantime, American audiences can look forward to two upcoming AI-generated films: Gods Don’t Give Gifts, an animated sci-fi anthology due out on December 4, and Misaligned, still in early development featuring a claimed first AI-generated celebrity “actor,” Tilly Norwood.