At the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), Tony Leung Chiu-wai, serving as jury head for the Golden Goblet competition, addressed the festival's AI debates and his hopes for cinema's future.
AI: A Double-Edged Sword
Leung shared his thoughts on artificial intelligence, a major topic at SIFF. "AI is a double-edged sword," he stated. "It saves time and money in filmmaking, especially for mainstream movies, but it lacks creativity and soul, leading to job losses."
He emphasized the challenges of engaging new generations who have diverse entertainment options compared to his formative years in 1970s Hong Kong, where film was a dominant pastime.
Theatrical Experience and Education
Leung advocates for traditional cinematic experiences, saying, "You have to watch it on a big screen to appreciate film language and details." Despite the growth of digital media, he believes in educating audiences to appreciate varied cinematic styles.
His masterclass in Shanghai, prefaced by a screening of Ildikó Enyedi's "Silent Friend," aimed to highlight the value of diverse film narratives.
Judging and Personal Insights
As jury head, Leung collaborated with directors Guan Hu and others to evaluate 12 films from 15 countries. "It's been a learning process," he remarked, appreciating the diversity of perspectives.
Reflecting on his career, which spans from Hong Kong TV to Hollywood, Leung expressed enthusiasm for European arthouse cinema, recounting his experience with Enyedi's project as "chaos" but creatively fulfilling.
Future Projects and Collaborations
Looking ahead, Leung mentioned projects with Johnnie To and more collaborations with Enyedi. He hinted at a possible reunion with Wong Kar-wai, stating, "I choose the director first... I don't want to control something that I can't control."
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tony-leung-ai-future-of-film-shanghai-1236626443/
