Home / Arts and Entertainment / AI Mimics Viral Music Video, Director Depressed
AI Mimics Viral Music Video, Director Depressed
20 Oct
Summary
- Director Romain Gavras's 'Storm' video faced AI replication
- AI tools can replace entire crowds in existing footage
- Gavras expresses sadness, considering quitting filmmaking
Romain Gavras's seven-and-a-half-minute music video "Storm," released in April 2026, has become a surprising target for AI replication. The video, known for its elaborate single-take choreography featuring 66 schoolboys, was celebrated for its raw, human artistry, seemingly beyond AI's capabilities at the time.
In September 2026, AI tools like Genjutsu emerged, allowing users to replace subjects in existing footage, leading to widespread AI-generated versions of "Storm." These creations, ranging from animals to public figures, deeply saddened Gavras, who felt they devalued the immense effort behind the original work.
Gavras, who also directed the Netflix film "Sacrifice," has turned down offers from AI companies, refusing to monetize what he considers a pure artistic endeavor. He views the trend as a "nightmare" and a potential threat to artistic integrity, likening AI's impact to a swarm of locusts.
While copyright law may offer recourse, legal battles are complex and lengthy, with individual users being the primary infringers. Gavras chose to respond by having Gener8ion perform "Storm" live at the VMAs on September 27, 2026, aiming to reaffirm the power of human performance.
Despite "Storm" not winning its VMA nominations, Gavras felt a sense of victory in not "crying in front of the machine," highlighting the ongoing tension between human creativity and rapidly advancing AI technology.
