Lights, camera, algorithm: China’s first all-AI movie ‘Sanxingdui: Future Past’ opens to a very human ‘meh’

BEIJING, Oct 23 — China's inaugural all-AI generated feature film, "Sanxingdui: Future Past," premiered in theaters on Friday, marking a significant test for the nation's burgeoning tech industry. Despite a massive marketing push, advance ticket sales fell short of expectations, with only a few thousand tickets sold. The sci-fi thriller, which cost over 10 million yuan to produce, has drawn mixed reviews, with audience reception far from enthusiastic.

The film, which features AI-generated actors, voices, and backdrops, delves into the theme of humanity in an AI-dominated future. Production company Bona Film Group's CEO, Jiang Defu, acknowledged the mixed reception, emphasizing that the film's innovative approach was no easy feat. However, critics like Iris Yang, who attended a free screening, argue that AI-generated films still lack the theatrical appeal of blockbusters like "Avatar."

While AI-generated content has become popular on platforms like Douyin, the audience's willingness to pay for AI-generated cinema remains uncertain. Online, Chinese social media users expressed similar sentiments, suggesting that unless AI-generated films can match the quality of established cinematic experiences, they may struggle to gain traction in theaters.

In Hollywood, the integration of AI in filmmaking has raised concerns among professionals about potential job displacement, with upcoming AI-generated films also scheduled for release.