Russia Releases Its First Documentary Made With AI
Russia has premiered “Kutuzov,” a groundbreaking 40-minute documentary about history.
It is the country’s first popular-science film created with artificial intelligence. The project was produced by VOzDUHFILM studio in partnership with Fond imeni M. I. Kutuzova (M. I. Kutuzov Foundation) and the Borodino State Museum-Reserve.
Bringing Life into Classical Paintings
The film’s defining feature is its use of classical art. AI “brought to life” more than 50 paintings depicting events from the 1812 Patriotic War and the life of the legendary military commander, including “The Battle of Borodino” by German battle painter Peter von Hess and “Peace at All Costs!” by Vasily Vereshchagin. Neural networks analyzed the images and added depth, movement and cinematic effects.
Viewers can now see familiar works by Russian battle painters in an entirely new format: soldiers and commanders begin to move, clouds drift across the sky, and gunpowder smoke spreads across the battlefield. The algorithms carefully reconstruct hidden parts of the paintings and extend the edges of the frame, making it possible to use classical art as video footage. At the same time, machine-learning technology preserves the paintings’ original style and color palette.
Reconstructing Historical Places
In addition to working with existing paintings, the neural networks generated numerous original scenes. The algorithms recreated historical locations and key events of the 1812 Patriotic War, modeling the landscapes of the Borodino battlefield, river crossings and Russian army camps.
The filmmakers used AI to visualize large-scale battles that would be difficult to shoot using traditional methods. The neural networks generated thousands of extras and rendered period uniforms and weapons in detail. Specialized models handled the physics of movement for both people and horses, helping make the animation look realistic.
Every generated scene underwent historical verification. The project’s consultants included staff from the State Borodino Military-Historical Museum-Reserve and representatives of the M. I. Kutuzov Foundation. Experts checked the uniforms, banners and tactical formations against archival records. This helped avoid the kinds of “hallucinations” and errors that neural networks can produce.
AI Throughout the Production Process
VOzDUHFILM used AI throughout the production process, applying neural networks not only to the visuals but also to the soundtrack. Acoustic models synthesized the sounds of battles, horses neighing and the boom of artillery.
Separate models were used to read archival historical documents and letters aloud. The creators selected voices that matched the artistic vision and conveyed the required intonation. This allowed the filmmakers to present historical figures’ direct speech without hiring professional voice actors.
The script was also developed with the help of language models. The algorithms analyzed large collections of memoirs, historical chronicles and academic papers, and the neural network used that material to suggest narrative ideas and structure the chronology of the story. The final proofreading and artistic editing, however, were carried out by professional historians and screenwriters.
Potential for Education and Culture
The release of “Kutuzov” highlights the potential of today’s generative technologies in the cultural sector. Neural networks can already reduce the cost and production time of video content. Producing a 40-minute film with large-scale battle scenes using traditional methods would require substantial budgets and months of filming.
The new format also opens up possibilities for museums and cultural projects. Historical museums could use similar AI tools to “bring to life” their archives and exhibits, while interactive installations featuring animated paintings could attract younger audiences and make learning about history more engaging.
For Russia’s film industry, the technology provides a new tool for producing popular-science films. The experience of VOzDUHFILM demonstrates the commercial and artistic viability of neural-network-based production. AI technologies are expected to become a standard part of filmmaking, allowing creators to visualize stories set in virtually any period or era.
