Director Danny Boyle has confirmed that his latest feature film, Ink, incorporates generative AI techniques. Speaking during the Telluride Film Festival following the project's premiere in Venice, the Oscar-winning filmmaker revealed that roughly 30 seconds of AI-generated media made it into the final cut.
Co-produced by Studiocanal and Netflix, Ink stars Jack O’Connell, Guy Pearce, and Claire Foy. The drama chronicles the rapid rise of the British tabloid newspaper The Sun during the 1970s under editor Larry Lamb and media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
Archival Animation and Digital Rodents
The application of generative AI in Ink served two primary functions. The production team utilized generative tools to animate archival photographs shown in the film, including historical imagery of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the Kray brothers.
Additionally, the technology was deployed to create synthetic mice running across the newsroom floor. Boyle highlighted that generative models have become remarkably adept at simulating animal movement. He noted that using digital animals allows him to avoid live creatures on set, a policy he adopted after facing criticism from PETA during the filming of 28 Days Later.
Industry Ethics and the Future of Journalism
Addressing broader concerns about synthetic media in cinema during an interview with Vanity Fair, Boyle framed AI as a functional tool within the creative process, provided clear ethical guardrails are enforced. He emphasized that filmmakers must properly compensate actors if their likenesses or performances are replaced by digital software.
However, speaking at the Venice press conference, Boyle expressed broader anxiety regarding how automated media tools might affect real-world industries, particularly press organizations. He raised concerns that media companies might eventually favor cheaper, AI-generated reporters over human staff, questioning whether automated journalists would adequately hold power to account.
Festival Reception and Release
Ink debuted to positive critical reviews across its initial festival screenings at Venice and Telluride. The film is set for a theatrical release in December before arriving on Netflix in January.