Director behind Yung Lean’s viral Storm video says AI imitations on social media made even good work look lame
A video reaches millions
Gavras directed the “Storm” video for Gener8ion, an audiovisual project he runs with French producer Surkin. Released in April, it has amassed more than 40 million views. The video depicts Yung Lean as a bully at a boarding school. The students he has tormented then break into an elaborate dance around him during a class photo.
AI remakes spread online
Gavras said the trend made him sad for the people who had worked on the original video. He said it could make even good work look “lame,” and joked that he had considered leaving filmmaking to become an olive farmer in Greece.
Concerns about creative work
Gavras said the spread of AI replicas pushed him into a conversation he had not wanted. He described the situation as a nightmare and said an economic model was emerging that he did not want to be part of. He argued that the imitations lacked Yung Lean’s “swagger” and pointed to the imperfection and inner life of human performers as qualities AI had not yet captured.
Other filmmakers voice concerns
Gavras is not the only filmmaker to raise concerns about AI’s effects on creative work. Guillermo del Toro has said AI could deprive future filmmakers of the opportunity to learn their craft. Tim Burton has also said AI strips humanity from art.
Key points
- The “Storm” video has received more than 40 million views since its April release.
- AI remakes of its dance scene began circulating on social media in September.
- Gavras said the trend made him question continuing in filmmaking.
- Guillermo del Toro and Tim Burton have also raised concerns about AI and creative work.