A new movie featuring an AI-rendered Vladimir Putin and promising "a detailed analysis of the Russian leader's life and psyche over 60 years" is to be released this September.
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Described as "a psychological thriller, biopic", Putin, which will be in the English language, was written and directed by Patryk Vega, the Polish director whose previous credits include Pitbull, Mafia Women and Botoks.
According to producers, the movie was "rendered in ultra-realistic detail through advanced AI technology.
"Viewers will be able to get up close and personal with the Kremlin leader's story, touching on some of the most intimate moments of his life".
A new trailer for the film features shots of Putin wearing a soiled nappy, practicing martial arts, and confronting Boris Yeltsin.
Speaking about the film, Vega said, "Inviting Putin to the studio for 20,000 shots wasn't an option and the archival materials available online didn't allow for training a high-resolution deepfake model suitable for cinematic use.
"As a result, after nearly two years of development, we've created our pioneering AI-driven technology, enabling us to craft the cinematic character without relying on a real human model."
Putin was filmed over three years in locations such as the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Israel, Syria, Jordan, and Poland.
At one point, the narrative shifts to present day, offering viewers insights into the internal mechanisms of Russian politics that influenced the perception of the presidential elections in 2024.
To enhance the film's realism, Vega worked with Ukrainian cinematographers who recorded authentic events during city bombardments and soldiers' combat.
"Putin is not just a film," Vega added. "It's a response to a global quest to understand the motives and actions of one of the most controversial figures in contemporary politics.
"My production's mission is to provide viewers with a 'user manual' for Putin, aiming to alleviate the fear and uncertainty that dominate today's world."
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