Controversy erupted when AI replaced Thuy Tien in the movie 'Close the deal!'

Image of Thuy Tien in the old version of Chot Don! (left) and the AI-edited image in the official film version - Photo: Producer

After the main actress is a beauty queen Thuy Tien arrested, film producer Chot do! decided to apply AI technology in post-production to "perfect the main character's performance", despite initial concerns that the AI image would be "fake and soulless".

Mr. Hang Minh Loi, founder of Lumination - a technology support unit - said: "AI is essentially just a tool. In order for people to see the transmission of emotions through frames as well as the way to build characters, there needs to be a great contribution from the director's perspective."

Controversy erupts: Similar or different from Thuy Tien?

At the media premiere on the afternoon of August 4, the producer Close the deal! along with the technology partner spoke up to explain and specifically explain about replacing Thuy Tien with AI. They received sympathy for having to face a big unexpected incident.

But then the first images of the "AI lead actor" in the film were leaked on social media, attracting many mixed comments.

Netizens and those who have watched the movie are debating whether the AI image looks similar or different from Thuy Tien - Photo: Screenshot

As noted by Tuoi Tre Online, The biggest change is shown in the face of the character Hoang Linh. Some features have been changed to make the character Hoang Linh look "different" from Thuy Tien. However, in some angles, the face is still quite similar to Thuy Tien, especially in the lips and teeth - the typical features on her face.

Besides, the voice (which the producer confirmed has been changed) still sounds very similar to Thuy Tien in the way of speaking, emphasis, pitch, and characteristic tones...

Regarding the character's body, the film's legal representative confirmed that it had been AI technology changing the features makes the audience not recognize Thuy Tien, but overall still tall and slim quite similar to her figure.

"The feeling of the processing is still based on Thuy Tien's features, so it doesn't look much different from Thuy Tien. The feeling of the voice is also changed from Tien's voice because that's how Tien talks" - a journalist commented after the screening.

Is AI soulless or emotional?

In addition to whether Hoang Linh looks similar or different from Thuy Tien, the AI image also causes controversy because of its authenticity, ability to convey emotions, is it soulless or evokes empathy? That was also the initial concern of the directors as well as many audiences.

Talking about the theatrical version of the movie Close the deal! and when watching the female protagonist intervened by AI , the actress Quyen Linh said he was "feeling very good".

"I didn't think AI could shed tears or smile so brightly. The emotions were strange compared to acting with real people. But thank you AI for giving me such real emotions. Thank you to the actors for uniting while acting and creating such beautiful emotions" - he said.

The film has not been released in theaters yet (officially released on August 8, early screenings on August 7), so general audiences have not seen the film. They base their comments on leaked images. Some people think this is a necessary and understandable solution. Some people look at the AI images and comment "too stiff, too fake".

However, some journalists and people working in the film industry believe that the information "AI replaces Thuy Tien" will still attract a group of curious audiences to the theater. After that, the content and ability to move the film will be the deciding factor in the long run. Close the deal!