AI Cinematic Realism explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the very foundations of cinematic realism. From Kracauer and Bazin’s indexical image to today’s generative platforms like Sora, Runway, Gemini, and MidJourney, this article argues for a new interdisciplinary field bridging film studies, philosophy, ethics, and media practice. It calls for collaboration to understand realism in an era where the real and the synthetic intertwine.
AI Cinematic Realism: On the Aesthetics of an AI-Generated World
AI cinematic realism isn’t just about photorealistic images—it’s about how synthetic scenes make us feel, think, and respond. As AI reshapes the idea of presence, emotion, and authenticity on screen, we’re pushed to reconsider what “realism” means when the camera is gone and only imagination remains.
