“Telepathic Letters”, interview with director Edgar Pêra

At this year’s Locarno Film Festival, we sat down with Edgar Pêra, the innovative director behind “Telepathic Letters“. The film, screening Out of Competition, delves into the intricate worlds of H.P. Lovecraft and Fernando Pessoa, two of the most enigmatic literary figures of the 20th century. Through a groundbreaking use of AI-generated imagery, Pêra weaves a narrative that bridges their distinct philosophies, creating a unique cinematic experience.

From Lovecraft to Pessoa: The Genesis of Telepathic Letters

Edgar Pêra began our conversation by tracing the origins of “Telepathic Letters“. “I’ve worked with the texts of Lovecraft and Pessoa before,” he explained, “and I always found connections between their thoughts on humanity. Initially, this film was meant to be a continuation of The Nothingness Club, but with the advent of AI, I saw an opportunity to create something truly unique.” By leveraging AI, Edgar Pêra could construct fantastical elements without the constraints of a traditional budget, allowing him to craft a specific universe that intertwines these two literary giants.

AI as a Tool for Low-Budget Filmmaking

Edgar Pêra is candid about his embrace of AI, seeing it as a boon for filmmakers working with limited resources. “AI offers low-budget filmmakers the ability to create monsters, landscapes, and entire worlds,” he enthuses. “The process became so fluid that I was constantly generating new images, even in the final stages of editing. It’s like creating archives from the future, based on the past but reimagined in ways that never existed.”

The Philosophical Debate: AI and ‘Artificial Stupidity’

In his typically provocative style, Edgar Pêra reflects on the nature of AI, dubbing it “artificial stupidity” rather than artificial intelligence. “We’re dealing with human-made databases, so it’s all human, not truly artificial,” he argues. “What fascinates me is this process of recombining elements to create something entirely new, something that feels like a forgotten piece of history.”

Crafting the Visuals: Taming the Algorithm

The visual style of “Telepathic Letters“is distinct, partly because of Pêra’s approach to taming the AI algorithms. “I wanted to avoid the generic look of AI-generated images—the purples and blues reminiscent of Shrek or Avatar. Instead, I guided the algorithm to create something different, something more in tune with the eerie, otherworldly essence of Lovecraft and Pessoa.”

Lovecraft, Pessoa, and the Present Day

When asked how Lovecraft and Pessoa might view our modern world and the rise of AI, Pêra offers a thoughtful response. “They were both innovators in their time, wary of novelty but also creators of it. While it’s impossible to say for sure, I believe they would be intrigued, if not entirely accepting, of how their works are being reimagined today.”

Audience Reactions: Embracing the Unique

As for audience reactions to his “Telepathic Letters“, Edgar Pêra remains cautiously optimistic. “I’m always surprised when people like my movies,” he admits with a smile. “But the feedback so far has been incredible, and people who already saw it come to me and say, Oh, this is a very unique film.”</