The Upcoming Putin Biopic Is a Bad Idea (And Not for the Reasons You Think)

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Over several decades, biographical movies have held a significant appeal among viewers. Unlike other film genres, biopics often prove resilient against the passage of time. As preferences, viewpoints, and societies evolve, an individual’s narrative stays consistent. The genre can be traced back to the Silent Era, where films such as “Joan the Woman” and “The Life of Émile Zola” were created to enlighten the public about particular historical figures. These productions typically portrayed their subjects in a glorified, heroic manner, enabling audiences to find moral guidance or strive for increased patriotism. Over time, this representation style has evolved.

By the 1950s, the genre had progressed beyond simple hero-worship. Biographical films began delving into more contentious and morally complex characters, providing viewers with either a clearer understanding of significant historical figures or an entertainingly exaggerated portrayal. Movies about world leaders are also intriguing, as exemplified by 1984’s captivating offerings like Reagan and The Apprentice. Now, Vladimir Putin is set to appear on the big screen. The film directed by Polish director Patryk Vega has sparked much conversation, not due to its subject matter, but because it extensively employs artificial intelligence.

Putin’s KGB Roots and Lengthy Political Career Make Him a Great Subject for a Biopic

Has there ever been a more fitting subject for a biopic than Vladimir Putin? Since 2012, he has served as Russia’s president, having previously held the same position from 2000 to 2008. Prior to that, he was Prime Minister from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012. Currently, he is the second-longest-reigning Russian leader, following Joseph Stalin who ruled for three decades.

Beyond the political Putin lies the enigmatic Putin, who spent 16 years as a KGB operative, retiring from the agency after achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. Post his tenure with the agency, he embarked on an unconventional path, navigating through the Russian high society. His journey led him to become the head of the Federal Security Service (the successor of the KGB) and the secretary of Russia’s Security Council. He then ascended to the positions of prime minister and president. Years down the line, Putin made moves characteristic of himself and altered the constitution to ensure his rule until at least 2036. The Ukraine War adds depth to this already rich biographical narrative, making for a potential epic film.

Sadly, the visual style in director Patryk Vega’s film seems strikingly similar to many AI videos available online. Instead of creating compelling scenes, Vega opts for placing Trump’s face onto a rapper or making Biden run a marathon – scenes that he apparently believes are suitable for us. According to The Telegraph, Vega hired Polish actor Slawomir Sobala and encouraged him to give an outstanding performance. However, he then used AI technology to replace Sobala’s face with that of Putin.

This filmmaking approach takes common genre tropes and puts a fresh spin on them, ensuring that the main actor doesn’t gain even more recognition. It’s especially disheartening when you discover that Sobola bears an uncanny resemblance to Putin. Why resort to AI when you have someone who looks so much like the actual person? However, there’s a silver lining: the movie appears to be intriguing based on its trailer. Instead of adopting the glamorous style popularized by some well-known biographical films, this production is raw, gritty, and executed with undeniable determination.

This filmmaking technique twists usual storylines without making the main actor even more famous. It’s frustrating to find out that Sobola looks like Putin. But on a positive note, the movie seems interesting based on its preview. The style of this biopic is rough and gritty, unlike some popular ones, but it’s made with strong conviction.

As a young man, Putin bravely confronts bullies, asserting “It’s better to die upright than live submissively.” Soon after, he demonstrates his judo skills and influences Boris Yeltsin, saying “Transfer your power to me. Only I can rescue you!” Later, scenes depict several women dressed as Playboy bunnies, suggesting a lavish setting. Vega appears fearless, making us eagerly anticipate the spectacle.

In a place where finding such content might seem improbable, the resourceful and inventive Polish filmmaker manages to create something. He even includes a scene depicting the Russian President in a hospital bed, wearing an unclean adult diaper.

1. Using “resourceful and inventive” instead of “deftly innovative.”
2. Replacing “wishes ill on” with “includes a scene depicting,” as it’s more neutral and less accusatory.
3. Describing the Russian President as lying in a hospital bed rather than just being in one, to provide more context.
4. Changing “soiled adult nappy” to “unclean adult diaper” for clarity and formality.

It wasn’t a shock when spies approached, as Vega disclosed that several Russian intelligence agents had stolen multiple cell phones from LinkedIn for his team. Yet, this didn’t faze him. He felt that the movie’s message and significance were so profound that it was not worth compromising.

Casting for a Biopic Can Be Challenging, but Artificial Intelligence Isn’t the Way To Go

In simpler terms, choosing actors for biographical movies can be tricky because it’s important to find someone who resembles the character and also has the acting abilities. For instance, Anthony Hopkins expressed regret over playing Richard Nixon as he felt he bore no resemblance to the President. He claimed he was pressured into taking the role. Similarly, John Wayne’s casting as Genghis Khan, a Mongol warlord, generated debate because an American portraying an Asian man seemed inappropriate. Jennifer Lopez faced criticism for playing Selena, a Mexican-American singer, even though she is of Puerto Rican descent.

It makes sense that finding someone in Russia to play Putin would be challenging. However, selecting a Polish actor like Slawomir Sobala might win universal praise from both critics and audiences. Allowing us to see Sobala’s genuine facial expressions is crucial, as it enables his performance to be evaluated fairly. Otherwise, we risk replacing his face with an AI-generated Putin, which would hinder a proper assessment of his acting skills.

The application of artificial intelligence in movies could potentially pave the way for risky consequences. As this trend persists, it may endanger jobs, which was a significant concern during the 2023 actors’ and writers’ strikes. However, Vega contends that AI technology might prove beneficial instead.

In the future, film and television productions may rely solely on prominent and possibly secondary actors, while the roles of extras and lesser characters could be filled digitally.

In a new approach, film studios aim to produce larger films at reduced costs; however, this shift raises questions about the roles of actors. As one filmmaker noted, approximately 90% of the cast may no longer be essential in this method. Moreover, if there’s increased emphasis on making the screen character look identical to the actual person, acting talent might become less emphasized.

Biopics About Controversial World Leaders Can Be Wholesome If Done Right

In my opinion, Vega’s portrayal in the trailer showcases a daring and fearless approach to their subject matter – that’s me! However, incorporating AI into this production seems to have left an unpleasant aftertaste. What viewers crave is not the actual Putin on screen, but rather an actor who flawlessly mirrors his demeanor and actions instead.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say that “The Last King of Scotland” stands out as a masterful portrayal of a notorious leader’s life story. In this film, Director Kevin MacDonald skillfully encapsulates the captivating allure of Idi Amin, unflinchingly depicting his tyranny, self-centeredness, and paranoia, along with his mistreatment of friends, allies, and lovers. Despite Forrest Whitaker not resembling the real Amin or being of African descent, he delivered such a compelling portrayal of the Ugandan dictator that he was awarded the Best Actor Oscar.

After Sebastian Stan, there’s no denying that many Trump impersonators out there are superior. However, in the TV series ‘The Apprentice’, Stan astonishingly captured and portrayed the charm, vulnerability, and ambitious narcissism of a younger Trump exceptionally well. As for Vega, he didn’t necessarily need a doppelganger of Putin, but he managed to secure one. It’s puzzling why he chose to continue using AI under these circumstances.

Despite facing challenges in securing distribution in the U.S., audiences should still be eager for the film. The Polish filmmaker revealed that it has been difficult to secure distribution in the US and shared an interesting anecdote about a public relations company in the U.S. who expressed concern that Putin might target their building with a rocket. Fortunately, distribution rights have been sold in over 50 countries worldwide. Somehow, somewhere, Putin may make his way to America at some point in the future.

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2025-01-13 02:02