AI-powered documentary tests cinema’s boundaries in Venice

A Venice Film Festival documentary, "Be Brave," has become the first AI-assisted feature to explore the technology's role in mainstream cinema. Directed by Francesco Carrozzini, the film charts the rise of fashion brand founder Renzo Rosso, who transformed a small denim company into a globally recognized brand. The documentary blends real interviews and historical footage with AI-generated video, blurring the line between reality and artificial creation.

Concerns over AI's impact on creativity and jobs in entertainment have been a hot topic in Venice, with notable figures like George Clooney raising alarms. "Be Brave" producer Lorenzo Mieli acknowledged these worries but argued for regulation and control to prevent exploitation and job loss, while encouraging the understanding of AI as an artistic tool.

Rosso, known for his risk-taking, had no interest in making a film about his life but embraced the AI concept when it promised to bring his childhood to life. The film uses AI to recreate Rosso's childhood moments, where no footage exists, and interviews with figures like Anna Wintour and John Galliano are actual conversations set against manipulated backgrounds.

Though AI generated the video of Rosso, the director insisted no actual footage was used, emphasizing the importance of human creativity.