A Chinese AI-generated feature film has prompted industry experts to explore how emerging technology could reshape the production of serious cinema while lowering the barriers to filmmaking.
The 120-minute Flames of Dachen was the focus of a seminar held in Beijing on Aug 24, where filmmakers and scholars discussed its artistic value, technological breakthroughs and implications for the future of the film industry.
The film is inspired by the real-life story of 227 young volunteers who arrived at Dachen Island in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, in 1956 and devoted themselves to reclaiming and rebuilding the island. Created to mark the 70th anniversary of the Dachen Island reclamation campaign, the film centers on the spirit of youth, dedication and sacrifice.
Relying on the domestic Seedance 2.0 large model, the film was created entirely through an AI-based production workflow. Its core team consisted of just five people, who completed the main production in 48 days at a total cost of less than 500,000 yuan ($69,000).
Zhang Hong, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, called the film a "milestone" in the development of AI filmmaking. He said its depiction of revolutionary heroism and romanticism could offer meaningful inspiration to younger audiences.
For the production team, however, the technological experiment was far from a shortcut.
Huang Dan, former head of the Literature Department at the Beijing Film Academy, said the film's value lies in the fact that "the people in the film are reclaiming the land, and the people outside the film are also reclaiming it". He added that the creators did not allow AI to take an easy route, but instead confronted the challenges of achieving realism.
Wang Zhengduo, the chief producer, said the production had to overcome three major challenges: re-creating historical settings, maintaining visual consistency throughout a feature-length film, and ensuring compliance and risk control.
The film was released on Aug 9 on the major streaming sites iQiyi, Youku and Tencent Video, attracting more than 1.45 million views within three days
