The biopic about the Kremlin dictator, created from scratch with artificial intelligence

In a cinematic world where the lines between reality and fiction are increasingly blurred, Polish director Besaleel (also known as Patryk Vega) brings a revolutionary approach to portraying contemporary political leaders. His film “Putin” promises an “up close and personal” foray into the life of Russian President Vladimir Putin, using advanced artificial intelligence technology to recreate the central figure.

AI technology at the service of cinematic art

First announced in May 2022, “Putin” marks Besaleel’s English-language debut and is distinguished by the use of AI technology developed by the director. Faced with the impossibility of bringing Putin into the studio to shoot 20,000 frames or using online archival material to train a high-resolution deepfake model, Besaleel chose to develop his own AI system. It allows the creation of a complex cinematic character without depending on a real human model. “After nearly two years of development, we’ve created our pioneering AI-driven technology that allows us to model the cinematic character without relying on an actual human model,” the director said, according to The Guardian.

The film’s controversial content and mission

Originally titled “The Vor in Law” (a term used to describe leading figures in organized crime), the film also incorporates sequences shot by Ukrainian filmmakers during the Russian invasion. The film’s trailer includes footage of Putin wearing dirty diapers, participating in judo-karate competitions and confronting Boris Yeltsin.

Besaleel adds that “Putin is not just a movie. It is a response to the global quest to understand the motives and actions of one of the most controversial figures in contemporary politics. The mission of my production is to provide viewers with an ‘instruction manual’ for Putin in order to alleviate the fear and uncertainty that dominates the world today.”

International launch and expected impact

Scheduled to be released on September 26, the film “Putin” will be available in 35 countries, bringing an unconventional perspective on the Russian leader to international audiences. With the promise of a glossy production characterized by graphic violence and high-quality production values, similar to Besaleel’s other box-office hits such as “Pitbull”, “Mafia Women” and “Botoks”, “Putin” has the potential to to change the way audiences perceive biopics and the use of AI technology in cinema.

Thus, “Putin” promises to be a cinematic experience that will not only captivate the audience, but will also provoke intense discussions about the ethics of historical and political representation through new technologies. Besaleel’s film comes at a time when the world needs more than ever a deep understanding of the figures that shape it.