Del Toro slams AI shortcuts at Cannes with Pan's Labyrinth
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- Guillermo del Toro presented a newly restored 4K Pan’s Labyrinth at Cannes, sparking a multi‑minute ovation before stopping it.link ›
- Guillermo del Toro called the film’s production the "second worst filmmaking experience of my life," second only to Mimic with the Weinsteins.link ›
- Pan’s Labyrinth originally grossed $83 million worldwide and won three Oscars for art direction, cinematography, and makeup.link ›
- Cannes opened May 12‑23 with Pierre Salvadori’s The Electric Kiss and featured works by Farhadi, Kore‑eda, and Mungiu.link ›
- Adolescence won four Bafta TV Awards, a record for most wins in a single year, and 16‑year‑old Owen Cooper became the youngest best supporting actor.link ›
- The Devil Wears Prada 2 opened with $43 million, keeping Disney at the top over Mortal Kombat ($40 million).link ›
- Dua Lipa released a live album and concert film from Mexico City, streaming on YouTube May 21 and to streaming services May 22.link ›
Guillermo del Toro used a Cannes appearance tied to Pan's Labyrinth to denounce AI-driven shortcuts in filmmaking, framing the clash as a fight for cinematic craftsmanship against encroaching technology.
The stories behind this week
Guillermo del Toro Declares Art Can’t Be ‘Done With a F—ing App!’ as He Brings ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ Back to Cannes After 20 Years: ‘The Second Worst Filmmaking Experience of My Life’The restored classic gives distributors and streaming platforms fresh revenue and cultural cachet, while del Toro’s warning underscores the need for high‑touch craftsmanship amid an industry racing toward cheap digital shortcuts.
Drake Teams With PartyNextDoor, Releases New FootageDrake and his label benefit from a surge in streams as the top‑25 list drives listeners to his catalog, raising his royalty earnings and solidifying his relevance despite a three‑year solo‑album gap.
Cannes Opens with The Electric Kiss, Features DirectorsFilmmakers gain high‑profile exposure and potential distribution, while audiences receive a broader cultural view; Cannes’ emphasis on international and Catalan cinema drives market attention toward non‑Hollywood narratives.
Angine de Poitrine's UK Debut Sells Out Amid Viral RiseThe band’s viral hype drives sold‑out shows, boosting ticket revenue and cementing their reputation as a must‑see live act, while venues benefit from high‑energy crowds.
Box Office: ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ Remains No. 1 With $43 Million, ‘Mortal Kombat II’ Launches to $40 MillionDisney secures a $43 M opening, bolstering its quarterly earnings and confirming the sequel’s draw, while theaters reap high attendance and rival studios see reduced market share as the film dominates the weekend.
Adolescence makes history at Bafta TV AwardsNetflix gains cultural prestige with *Adolescence*'s record-breaking Bafta haul, boosting its standing in prestige drama as shareholder scrutiny follows Reed Hastings' exit. The success highlights youth-driven storytelling as a new strength in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape.
Dua Lipa Releases Live Album & Film from Mexico CityFans gain instant access to the tour’s highlight performances, while streaming platforms and Lipa’s label capture fresh revenue from the May 22 album drop and June 5 physical shipments, extending the tour’s earnings beyond live ticket sales.
Martin Short Opens Up About Daughter’s SuicideShort’s candid interview gives mental‑health advocates a high‑profile platform while offering families facing similar loss a relatable voice, potentially spurring increased awareness and support resources.
Why it matters: A Best Director-level auteur publicly opposing AI shortcuts at one of cinema's most-watched platforms gives the anti-AI camp a high-profile cultural standard-bearer at the exact moment studios are evaluating generative tools, potentially shifting how the industry frames AI adoption as a craftsmanship question rather than a productivity one.
