Malaysia and Singapore’s Pirate Queen Sets Sail into a New Era of Cinema
History has been made in the world of filmmaking. The groundbreaking announcement of Pirate Queen: Zheng Yi Sao marks a major milestone. It is the first-ever feature film to have its visuals entirely generated by artificial intelligence (AI). This Chinese-language movie is a collaborative effort between Future Studios from Malaysia and Singapore’s FizzDragon. The film was officially launched on April 24th at TGV KLCC in Kuala Lumpur.
This cinematic milestone powerfully showcases the potential of AI-generated content (AIGC). The film brings the legendary story of pirate Zheng Yi Sao to life. It does this by leveraging advanced technologies such as machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. These tools work together to create a vivid and immersive retelling of her tale.
Moreover, the production was made possible through a collaboration between local talents from Malaysia and international contributors spanning 12 countries. The team used AI tools actively throughout the entire process. These tools were applied at various stages, including scene generation, script editing, animation, and post-production. This approach helped enhance both creativity and efficiency.
The Legend of Zheng Yi Sao
Pirate Queen: Zheng Yi Sao narrates the captivating true story of Zheng Yi Sao, also known as Ching Shih. Born into a fisherman’s family, her early life took a difficult turn when she was forced into prostitution. Following the demise of her husband, the pirate chief Zheng Yi, she inherited his formidable Red Flag Fleet. Against all odds, she rose to become one of the most successful and influential female pirates in history, commanding a vast fleet and challenging imperial powers.
A New Era for Filmmaking
At the film’s launch event, Professor Yoki Chin, President of Future Studios and executive producer of the movie, spoke about the significance of this achievement. Specifically, he highlighted that Pirate Queen: Zheng Yi Sao is a powerful example of what fully AI-generated visuals can achieve in filmmaking.
“It’s the beginning of a new era for filmmaking where AI becomes a tool for cultural storytelling, innovation and inclusive narratives,” Professor Chin declared. He further expressed his optimism for the future, adding, “Our next work, whether using AI only partially or fully like this one, will only keep getting better.”
Professor Chin also addressed concerns about the role of AI in the creative industries, asserting, “AI is not here to replace us, but to give us more options for creative expression.” This sentiment points to a future where AI becomes a powerful tool for filmmakers. It enhances their capabilities and supports their creative process. With AI, new avenues for artistic vision can open up, offering fresh possibilities in storytelling and production.
Coming Soon to Cinemas
After the initial preview of the film, Professor Chin announced that Pirate Queen: Zheng Yi Sao is expected to hit cinemas around June or July this year. This groundbreaking film is set to make waves in the industry. It marks a bold step into uncharted territory for cinematic creation. As a result, it is likely to spark significant discussion and debate both within the film industry and beyond.
