Cannes Chief: AI Risks 'Lies' in Film

Thierry Fremaux, celebrating his 25th year leading the Cannes Film Festival, has voiced apprehension regarding the Academy's new rules on artificial intelligence in cinema. He described these rules as "obvious" and expressed a preference for the era of celluloid film, citing Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now" as the "last organic film" he witnessed. Fremaux highlighted that digital technology allows filmmakers to artificially inflate elements like the number of helicopters in a scene, a departure from the authentic sourcing of props seen in older productions.

This concern about authenticity comes as Hollywood is navigating significant changes. Fremaux pointed to the aftermath of COVID-19, the writers' strike (which touched upon AI issues), and ongoing restructuring, mergers, and the rise of streaming platforms as factors necessitating a significant industry shake-up. Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism for the future of American cinema, drawing parallels to a crisis in the 1960s that preceded the New Hollywood era.

Fremaux also touched upon the festival's relationship with Hollywood and the absence of major blockbuster premieres for this year's edition, though it will feature a 25th-anniversary screening of 'The Fast and Furious.' He also briefly addressed France's upcoming presidential elections and the potential impact on the cultural sector, noting that the festival has often been called upon to reflect on extraneous issues but declined to comment on specific electoral outcomes.