AI documentary lets Jüri Järvet tell his own story

A new documentary about actor Jüri Järvet, made with artificial intelligence so he can narrate his own life, will premiere at the Black Nights Film Festival. Director Taavi Arus told ERR that he was surprised to discover Järvet had at times lived like a rock star.

The film, titled “Jüri Järvet: Every Inch a King,” is directed by Arus and produced by Madis Ligema. Arus said the filmmakers found unexpectedly little archival material about Järvet outside his films, including recordings of broadcasts and other parts of his life beyond his work.

One of the film’s key sources was a book by Reet Neimar and Pille-Riin Purje. The filmmakers selected the stories that resonated most with them. Ligema said the actor’s journey from “rock bottom” to the top was impressive.

Arus said the idea of using AI to let Järvet speak came from the series “The Andy Warhol Diaries.” He wanted to experiment with a new form of documentary storytelling. Ligema said the technology made it possible to have someone who died 31 years ago speak on screen. The filmmakers have not yet received strong criticism over their use of AI, though Arus said there were signs it might come.