– RAMON DE LA ROCHA
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 19 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Actor Antonio Resines expressed his disapproval on Friday regarding the government’s proposal to regulate artificial intelligence in cinema through a labour decree. He labelled it a “nonsense” to “feed” AI tools with new content without acknowledging the role of artists.
“It angers me to hear about ‘feeding'”, he stated during a media encounter in Tenerife ahead of the ‘Anillos de Oro’ gala, where he will receive the ‘Premio de Honor’. He emphasised that labour considerations should not play a role here; everything should be structured around intellectual property rights.
Concerns Over AI Regulation
Resines recalled a time years ago when “the Hollywood industry was halted” due to fraudulent use of elements that significantly impacted screenwriters. He believes we have reached a point where regulation is necessary.
He admitted to being “amazed” by some videos utilizing his image without his consent. He stressed that all parties involved in intellectual property rights must contribute to the discussion.
He further stated that there should be “permission” from affected individuals and “financial compensation” for the use of their work, ensuring clarity in labour relationships.
While admitting that AI could assist with specific tasks, he lamented the notion of AI being used to draft scripts.
The Future of Cinema
Regarding cinema’s future, he acknowledged that it is “very complicated”. Some “specific films” continue to perform well, but many productions struggle financially and cannot be promoted effectively.
“This is a problem,” he remarked, as some films “will not be seen by anyone” and ultimately end up being sold to platforms or television networks.
He suggested that cinema might become reserved for “big event films” like those of ‘Torrente’ in Spain, while other potentially “fascinating films” will be confined to platforms or television.
“In fact, I go to the cinema less often; it happens to everyone, and even at the senior price of three euros,” he quipped.
With approximately 150 films to his credit, Resines acknowledged that the affection he receives from the Spanish public is largely due to television series, which create a familial bond with the audience.
Memorable Roles
He highlighted the “adoration” he receives from children, particularly due to the re-airing of ‘Los Serrano’, and noted that the show’s abrupt ending was partly due to the lack of new storylines. “We couldn’t continue any longer,” he mentioned.
He reflected on the uniqueness of the show, though he also enjoyed working on “Los ladrones van a la oficina”, where his character was mute, allowing him to work alongside some of Spain’s “geniuses” in acting, saying, “I learned a lot and was incredibly lucky.”
He also recalled his foray into drama with ‘La Buena Estrella’, which earned him a ‘Goya’ award for its intimate filming style, and mentioned that he has always been offered excellent roles, treating the filming process as “a gift”. “I have a great time, except when there’s excessive script reading, which is a bore,” he added.
Rejecting Directorial Aspirations
Set to premiere ‘Haciendo Amigos’ alongside Quim Gutiérrez on July 10, Resines dismissed any intention to pursue directing, stating it requires “too much work”, lacks the “level of concentration” he believes is necessary, and that he has “nothing to say”. He believes that the ‘Anillos de Oro’ awards are promising as there were previously none exclusively for series.
Tenerife’s Vice President, Lope Afonso, commented that the awards present an opportunity for the island to showcase its audiovisual industry, which already “leaves a mark” on the economy.
Culture Vice Councillor, Cristóbal de La Rosa, also remarked that work is being conducted “better” in the islands, noting that 25 years ago, it was impossible to contract complementary services and now, the Canary Islands ranks second or third in the number of filming projects.
Carmen Pérez, the CEO of the Development Society, highlighted that the capital is currently experiencing a “very sweet moment” for filming, with up to 15 projects underway, and expressed her “enormous pride and responsibility” in hosting the award ceremony.
Joan Álvarez, director of the awards, confirmed the gala is secured with a five-year contract on the island and asserted that the Canary Islands is now regarded as an “audiovisual capital” due to its natural filming locations and the calibre of its institutions and professionals.
