January 2, 2025
BEIJING – Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing China’s film industry, reshaping the way movies are produced from concept development to post-production.
One notable example of this transformation is a short film by accomplished director Yu Baimei that reinterprets the legendary figure Zhong Kui in a modern context. Zhong Kui, a heroic figure in Chinese folklore, is often depicted as a warrior wearing crimson robes and defeating evil spirits.
“I’ve always been drawn to Zhong Kui. He’s humorous, heroic and deeply familiar to all of us,” says Yu, 49. ”
With the help of AI, Yu created a two-minute short film, “Bai Gui Wu Rao (Undisturbed by Ghosts),” which connects the legend of Zhong Kui to modern life.
In the film, Zhong Kui strides through a shadowy forest under a moonlit sky and mist between ancient trees. Wielding a sword, he faces off against otherworldly foes, including a giant, glowing red rabbit, and his movements are a symphony of power and grace. The story then moves to a modern bedroom, where a young man is snoring quietly as notifications flicker on his phone. It is revealed that Shoki embodies the boy’s digital “guardian spirit” and the forest battle is a dreamscape. The playful message on the screen, “On Vacation: No Interference by Ghosts,” humorously highlights the need for personal time in the digital age.
The experimental film was released in December as part of the National Film Museum of China’s “Klin AI Director Co-production Project” along with AI-generated shorts by eight other prominent directors. These works were added to the museum’s permanent collection and marked a landmark moment in Chinese cinema.
Yu’s foray into AI filmmaking reflects a broader trend of AI expansion within the industry.
“AI is now permeating every aspect of film production, from concept development to post-production,” said Lao Shuguan, president of the China Film Critics Association.
The ongoing film adaptation of the Hugo Award-winning science fiction novel The Three-Body Problem by renowned director Zhang Yimou exemplifies this trend.
“In addition to refining the script, the first thing I did was establish an AI team,” Zhang explains. “Using new technologies and concepts in the production process is a learning experience for me.”
Major studios are also leveraging AI to push creative boundaries. Bona Film Group’s AI-powered micro-series set in the Sanxingdui ruins is said to blend sci-fi storytelling with industrial-grade filmmaking.
Meanwhile, Yangshipin, a video platform owned by China Media Group, uses text-to-image, text-to-video, text-to-music, and text-to-audio workflows to create micro-series created entirely with AI. released Chinese Mythology.
While AI increases efficiency in areas such as visual effects, storyboarding, and set design, its role as a creative partner rather than a replacement for human artistry remains controversial.
Speaking at the 2024 Hainan International Film Festival, French film director Luc Besson described AI as an “invaluable tool,” but also noted its limitations. He said AI might draft a sequel to Dogman, but because it relies on existing material, it could be used to create a movie like the 2023 blockbuster action thriller or the 1988 romantic movie Big Blue. He said that he could not have created anything as original as this.
Chinese filmmakers also share this nuanced view.
“Human imagination, creativity and innovation still cannot be replaced by AI,” Rao said.
Still, he emphasizes the urgent need for filmmakers to quickly and comprehensively learn and adopt evolving AI technologies. Otherwise, you may be overtaken by more experienced colleagues.
China’s AI filmmaking revolution parallels the development of Hollywood. In 2024, Lionsgate partnered with AI startup Runway to develop a generative model trained on its extensive film and TV library. Similarly, director James Cameron joined Stability AI’s board of directors, demonstrating his growing interest in the creative potential of AI.
Chen Xuguang, director of the Institute of Film, Television and Drama at Peking University, envisions a future where film production moves from a resource-intensive industry to a lightweight, AI-enhanced model.
“With the power of AI, even small teams or individuals can evolve into highly efficient and creative production workflows and form robust industrial chains,” says Chen. .
The adoption of AI goes far beyond film production. According to the China Internet Network Information Center’s 2024 report, by June 2024, 230 million Chinese people (16.4% of the population) were using products powered by generative AI.
“Sooner or later, AI will be fully integrated into every aspect of our lives and will become everyone’s friend,” Yu said. “Regardless of the quality of their final work, the nine directors who took part in this initiative have set a valuable precedent: The future of filmmaking should not be left to directors alone; it can be made by anyone. ”
