AI, Netflix in Focus for Venice Head Alberto Barbera, Tarak Ben Ammar in THR Roma Roundtable

As a seasoned film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the silver screen, I can confidently say that the 2024 Venice Film Festival was a treasure trove of insights and perspectives from industry titans. The roundtable discussion with THR Roma, featuring luminaries like Alberto Barbera, Tarak Ben Ammar, and Andrea Occhipinti, was nothing short of enlightening.

The 2024 Venice Film Festival presents an excellent opportunity for discourse on trending entertainment industry matters among industry professionals and experts, in collaboration with THR Roma.

I recently had a conversation with Alberto Barbera, the artistic director of the Venice festival, Tarak Ben Ammar, owner of Eagle Pictures, and Andrea Occhipinti, founder of Lucky Red. Our discussion centered around the increasing influence of artificial intelligence, the dominance of Netflix, and the potential for an extended struggle in Hollywood.

“Barbera asserted that AI is likely to reshape the norms in movie-making. This technology is highly innovative and could significantly enhance the process of scriptwriting, filming, and post-production. However, there are numerous apprehensions. Screenwriters express their concerns, while actors fear being supplanted by AI. I believe these worries hold weight.”

Ben Ammar expresses his doubt that AI can replace the irreplaceable talent of writers and film directors. He suggests that while AI might serve as a useful tool in certain aspects, he is uncertain if governments would allow for a complete halt to dubbing movies. If dubbing were to cease in countries like Italy, France, or Germany, it could lead to unemployment for thousands of people, many of whom are Italian actors who primarily work in dubbing. He also predicts that there will be discussions within Europe about what is beneficial and what is not. In America, he believes the unions will safeguard their members, including actors, producers, directors, and technicians.

Occhipinti emphasized the need for “updating the regulations regarding AI’s maturity” in a clear and natural way.

Below are some of the other highlights from the wide-ranging discussion.

Netflix has won. Game over.

In a definitive statement regarding the ongoing debate between streamers and traditional studios, Ben Ammar declared Netflix the undisputed victor. “Netflix has triumphed; game over,” he said. “While Apple continues to sell phones and iPads, and Amazon peddles food, Netflix reigns supreme in the realm of streaming. They have emerged as the dominant force.” Interestingly, it was Alberto who initially introduced streamers to Venice, well before Cannes. He is the individual who gave legitimacy to streamers at the Venice Film Festival.

Barbera grinned and shared: “I came to understand that as the streamers create some of the most captivating movies, it’s beneficial for Venice to embrace them. We don’t need to construct a barrier between these streamers and studios. In fact, Netflix and Amazon have been responsible for producing some of the most successful films that even Hollywood couldn’t manage on its own.”

An extended crisis in the industry?

At the meeting, I inquired from the group regarding the ongoing industry mergers, mass job cuts totaling tens of thousands, and the rush to discard non-profitable properties at companies such as Disney, Paramount, and Warner Bros. How long will this phase of turmoil and consolidation persist, and what impact is it having on film production?

According to Ben Ammar, several factors play a significant role in the current situation, such as geopolitical events like the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, global economic conditions, and potential changes in interest rates. He also pointed out that since these companies are publicly traded, the market is currently oversaturated with films, leading to an abundance of subpar productions, according to his belief.

Barbera noted that Venice received two thousand submissions this year.

At this juncture, the proprietor of Eagle Pictures expressed a pessimistic forecast. “I believe we’re headed for a protracted crisis, affecting the industry as a whole, for three main reasons: Initially, the expense of funds; secondly, a lack of enthusiasm among consumers to spend money outside; and thirdly, the poor quality of films has influenced audience tastes. This is why festivals are crucial.” However, they also stated that talent will persist, and content remains the key factor.

Censorship

Barbera expressed concern over limitations on filmmakers’ freedom: “This issue is becoming increasingly significant and prevalent, particularly in countries such as China, India, Turkey, and Argentina. I faced criticism for a supposed lack of films from Latin America or Asia, but the truth is, these movies aren’t being made because artists are not granted the freedom to express themselves freely within those nations.”

Occhipinti concurred, stating, “Unfortunately, this trend is becoming more widespread across numerous nations. In my opinion, it’s best if governments refrain from dictating what can be produced.”

When asked for advice for Italian filmmakers, Ben Ammar replied: “I had the privilege of learning the craft from Roberto Rossellini and Franco Zeffirelli. In my opinion, scripts are crucial. If it’s not written down, it won’t appear on screen, so writers don’t necessarily need to be directors and vice versa.”

Queer: The Long Version

Barbera concluded the Round Table meeting by showering lavish compliments on the latest Daniel Craig movie titled “Queer”, helmed by Luca Guadagnino. “In my opinion, ‘Queer’ is the finest production Luca Guadagnino has ever created. I was fortunate enough to watch three distinct versions of it. The initial version ran for 3 hours and 20 minutes, the second was trimmed to 2 hours and 30 minutes, and then, a mere 15 days before the festival’s opening, it was edited yet again, this time to just 2 hours and 15 minutes. However, I found the longer version to be the most captivating.”

2024-09-02 21:25

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