Pierre Niney: “Perhaps there will one day be films certified without AI”

The star of Gourou talks in the new Première about his relationship with celebrity and his vision of artificial intelligence, which could “restore the value of live action”…

If Guru has been a hit in theaters since Wednesday, it is undoubtedly thanks to the presence of the very popular Pierre Niney in the casting. The star of Count of Monte Cristoof Fiascoof Black box or even Yves Saint Laurent trusts precisely in the new First (number 570, currently on newsstands and on the online store), on his relationship with celebrity.

“I think we’re just not wired to be known by that many people.” the 36-year-old actor confesses to us during a long interview. “When you do theater, it is easier to align your true nature as a human being with the part of ego that is actually necessary to tell yourself that you have something more interesting than others to tell (…) It’s a question of scale, and that of theater actually seems healthier to me. I repeat, but we are not wired to be known by so many people. Proof of this is that there are plenty of artists who, when they find success, begin to lose control, with mental health, addiction or other problems. You still have an interest in being really well harnessed, very solid in your education, in your relationship with people, so as not to lose your footing.”

Continuing his reflection, Pierre Niney imagines that the development of artificial intelligence could precisely be positive for live performance, by pushing people to cling to reality. He details his point of view:

“Paradoxically, AI will perhaps save us, by pushing us to return to live performance, where we witness something tangible, there, before our eyes. It seems to me that it has already started: I see things happening on the networks, baby lions cuddling a guy on the roof of the Taj Mahal… I say to myself: “Is it true? Isn’t that true?” Pfff… I actually don’t know anymore. So, since I don’t know anymore, I scroll, without the image having the slightest value for me. It no longer has any taste, or any impact.”

Will this relationship with AI, increasingly disconnected from real emotions, have an impact on the 7th art? For now, the industry is moving forward in limbo. And Pierre Niney admits: “I don’t know to what extent this will infect the films, if we will have the impression that everything is fake, if we will end up wondering if the actor really made the trip to play the role…”

So when we talk to him about Tom Cruise, who performs his own stunts to promote his films, the French actor anticipates the future of the profession:

“Following the same logic, we could imagine that AI, by reaction, restores its value to live action. At least, we know that we are there in the presence of other human beings, in person, and that we are living an experience which is not replicable, not modifiable. Perhaps there will be films certified without AI which will cost more, and AI films where you will pay two bucks for your seat. Who knows?”

Guruby Yann Gozlan, can be seen in cinemas from Wednesday January 28.

Find the full interview with Pierre Niney in the new issue of Première.