China Unveils Its First Fully AI-Generated Feature Film
China has made headlines with the release of its first completely AI-generated feature film, a historical fantasy named Sanxingdui: Future Past, which hit theaters on Friday.
However, initial ticket sales haven’t been promising, suggesting that viewers may not have been all that enthusiastic about this groundbreaking $1.5 million project.
Sanxingdui: Future Past (also known as Sanxingdui: Future Memory) draws inspiration from a significant archaeological excavation in Sichuan province that started in 1986. This dig revealed a wealth of artifacts over 3,000 years old from a uniquely deep pit. Among the remarkable finds were bronze masks and distorted sculptures, featuring unusual eyes and large ears, which set them apart from other artifacts from that time.
Furthermore, the excavation turned out to be from a city larger than many others from the Bronze Age in China, showcasing not only massive bronze sculptures but also a more complex craftsmanship than previously known in ancient Sichuan.
Interestingly, many of the Sanxingdui artifacts seemed to have been damaged or intentionally burned before being buried, and the civilization that created them seemingly vanished, leaving historians puzzled. They suggest various theories, including that the city might have served as a pilgrimage site, and the damaged items were offerings that ceased once the pilgrimages dwindled around 1,000 B.C.
The film, which blends these historical elements with a touch of imagination, features futuristic scientists seeking insights from the lost culture of Sanxingdui as technology becomes increasingly dominant. Its trailer prominently features the “bronze sacred tree,” a notable artifact from the real-life excavation.
Running for about 100 minutes, Sanxingdui: Future Past was created without any human actors; every character and element was crafted by computers. A team of approximately 100 creators dedicated two years to the project, producing more than 1.2 million images using ByteDance’s Jimeng AI.
The film received the green light from China’s National Film Administration (NFA) back in April, marking a significant moment since it was the first fully AI-generated film to obtain such approval.
This debut has ignited discussions about the relationship between art and artificial intelligence, mirroring similar debates in the West. Some industry folks worry that AI films could undermine traditional filmmaking, while others, like producer Qu Jixiaojiang, hope the film’s quality will resonate with audiences.
Qu expressed that they aim for viewers to feel the movie is worth their time. She reflected on the uncertainty surrounding the film’s reception, suggesting that not all pioneers find immediate success.
Meanwhile, CEO Jiang Defu defended the use of AI in filmmaking, asserting that creating Sanxingdui was not cutting corners but involved a well-organized and extensive team effort to ensure a high standard of quality.
Throughout the production, they adapted and revisited earlier scenes as AI technologies evolved rapidly over the past couple of years, with the movie undergoing substantial revisions multiple times.
Despite the innovative approach, the early audience response has been lukewarm. Advance ticket sales totaled about $9,700, and projections for the opening weekend box office were disappointing, at less than $15 million.
Some audience members critiqued the viewing experience, noting it felt somewhat stiff and lacking in immersion.
One viewer, Iris Yang, remarked that if AI-generated films could reach the cinematic richness of Avatar, she’d be more inclined to pay for the experience. Another viewer, Lilian Gong, echoed this sentiment, pointing out the noticeable gap in quality between AI creations and traditional films.
A Weibo post highlighted the challenge of charging for AI films when free content is readily available on platforms like Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), suggesting that, at this point, audiences might not be ready to pay for an AI movie.
The team behind Sanxingdui hopes to see it released internationally, possibly even in Western markets. In the meantime, American audiences can look forward to two upcoming AI-generated films: Gods Don’t Give Gifts, an animated sci-fi anthology set to release on December 4, and Misaligned, still in development, featuring an AI-generated actress named Tilly Norwood.
