Free Solo director uses AI to enhance new Antarctic documentary

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chai Vasarhelyi has brought to life the harrowing and legendary expedition of Sir Ernest Shackleton in her latest documentary film, Endurance. Delving into the well-known story of Shackleton’s 1914-1917 expedition to Antarctica, she used AI to add human “colour” to the tale.

Vasarhelyi, alongside her husband and fellow filmmaker Jimmy Chin, is well known for her compelling storytelling in films such as Free Solo and Nyad, which focus on individuals overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. Their latest project took inspiration from the story of Shackleton, whose ship, the Endurance, became trapped and subsequently sank in the ice-packed Weddell Sea. Despite the grave situation, Shackleton managed to lead his 27-man crew to safety over 750 gruelling days, though they had to leave behind the expedition’s dogs and a cat named Mrs. Chippy.

For Vasarhelyi and Chin, capturing the essence of this incredible feat presented unique challenges, as much of the story has been well-documented in previous films and stories. To set their film apart, they employed cutting-edge generative AI technology to bring voice to the personal diaries and letters of Shackleton and his crew, enabling these accounts to be narrated as if told by the men themselves.

This innovation required the use of archival audio interviews from the crew members for authenticity, marking an unprecedented approach given the age of the recordings. Ukrainian software developer Respeecher provided the AI technology needed for these ambitious voice-overs. The documentary also includes re-creations filmed in Iceland and California, where conditions were recreated to mimic the icy landscapes and storm-tossed seas endured by Shackleton’s crew. In a nod to authenticity, Burberry, the original makers of the suits worn by the crew, crafted replica outfits for the actors.

The documentary, which is available on the National Geographic strand of Disney Plus, also benefits from the visual archives of Frank Hurley, the official photographer of the Endurance expedition. Hurley’s photographs and films, which he managed to salvage from the doomed ship, have been enhanced with some colour for the documentary—an endeavour that required the approval of the British Film Institute, known for its strict archival preservation standards. These visuals, coupled with modern storytelling techniques, aim to transport viewers directly onto the ice with Shackleton and his crew.

Vasarhelyi acknowledges the concerns associated with AI in filmmaking, stressing the importance of regulation and education regarding its use. However, she sees the AI elements in Endurance as a positive example of how technology can advance storytelling without compromising creative integrity or historical authenticity.

Source: Noah Wire Services