AI-powered dubbing brings Swedish film to U.S. theaters without subtitles

AI is poised to fundamentally transform international film distribution by eliminating language barriers for foreign films in U.S. theaters. For the first time, American audiences will experience a foreign language film that appears to have been made in English through AI-powered visual and audio synchronization, potentially opening global cinema to much wider audiences while raising questions about cultural authenticity in film presentation.

The big picture: Swedish supernatural action comedy “Watch the Skies” will be the first international feature to use AI technology that syncs English dialogue with actors’ mouth movements, creating a seamless viewing experience without subtitles.

• AMC Theatres has committed 100 screens across 20 major U.S. markets for the film’s May 9 release, signaling confidence in the commercial potential of this technology.
• The film was originally titled “UFO Sweden” and was produced in Swedish before being transformed by Flawless AI for American audiences.

Why this matters: This technology could democratize global cinema by removing language barriers that have historically limited foreign films’ commercial viability in major markets.

• Producer Albin Pettersson called the development “a game changer” for the movie industry in a making-of featurette about the film.

What they’re saying: The AI company behind the technology sees this as opening new opportunities for filmmakers globally.

• “Showing our materials to filmmakers, especially over the past year, they realize the potential from going from a local stage to a global stage,” said Scott Mann, co-founder of Flawless AI.
• Mann emphasized that filmmakers are “so excited about showing their work in a wider audience, and especially in America,” highlighting the U.S. market’s continued importance for international productions.

Between the lines: While this technology promises wider distribution for international films, it also raises questions about the preservation of cultural nuance and artistic integrity when transforming works from their original language.