Adrien Brody, a frontrunner at the 2025 Academy Awards for his acclaimed performance in The Brutalist, finds himself at the center of controversy due to the film’s use of artificial intelligence. Director Brady Corbet and editor Dávid Jancsó employed AI technology from Ukrainian software company Respeecher to refine the Hungarian dialogue of Brody and co-star Felicity Jones.
As both actors earned Oscar nominations for portraying Hungarian immigrants, concerns have arisen over AI’s role in their performances. The debate highlights whether AI-assisted acting should be eligible for prestigious awards, particularly when transparency about such modifications remains inconsistent.
Film critic Rachel Ho emphasized the importance of disclosure, arguing that AI usage could impact career trajectories in Hollywood. Corbet defended the practice, stating that only minimal Hungarian dialogue was altered and that both actors trained extensively with a vocal coach.
This controversy signals a broader trend, with other Oscar contenders like A Complete Unknown and Dune: Part Two also incorporating AI. Meanwhile, Emilia Pérez, a musical featuring AI-enhanced vocals, has drawn scrutiny over its casting choices.
The SAG-AFTRA strike of 2023 set strict guidelines for AI usage, addressing concerns about digital replicas and synthetic performers. However, The Brutalist falls into a gray area, reflecting long-standing industry practices like ADR (automatic dialogue replacement), which has historically refined performances without drawing public scrutiny.
Post-production expert Michael Forsey likened AI adjustments to auto-tune in music, suggesting that if AI disclosure became mandatory, nearly every film would require transparency about editing techniques. Amidst this ongoing debate, the Academy Awards is now considering making AI disclosures a formal requirement.
Vocal coach Mark Byron Dallas acknowledged concerns but defended Brody’s nomination, pointing out that hiring high-profile actors for major productions is often necessary. Comparing AI-assisted accents to digital de-aging in films like The Irishman, he argued that such enhancements do not diminish an actor’s core performance.
As AI technology continues to reshape filmmaking, the industry faces increasing pressure to establish clear ethical boundaries—particularly when it comes to award-winning performances.
Source: Swifteradio.com
