Scorsese Produced Film Featured AI Imagery
The Bahman Ghobadi-directed project Trees Are Watching premiered at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Arthouse
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Martin Scorsese served as executive producer on the new independent film Trees Are Watching, which stars Eva Green. The project drew attention for its extensive use of generative AI to create forest landscapes, transition effects, and flashback scenes.
Why it matters
Scorsese joined the project shortly before its premiere to increase visibility for the film. The reliance on AI-generated visual effects has sparked significant debate among critics and audiences regarding the role of technology in modern cinema.
The 83-year-old filmmaker Martin Scorsese previously presented the 2012 film Rhino Season. Trees Are Watching marks his latest involvement in international independent projects.
The players
Martin Scorsese
He is an acclaimed American filmmaker who previously collaborated with director Bahman Ghobadi on the 2012 film Rhino Season.
Bahman Ghobadi
He is an Iranian-Kurdish filmmaker known for directing films often set in Turkey and surrounding regions.
Eva Green
She is an actress who stars in the film Trees Are Watching.
The details
Directed by Bahman Ghobadi and set in Turkey, the film utilizes generative AI throughout its visual storytelling. The decision to integrate machine-generated imagery into landscapes and transitions has drawn criticism from viewers at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Timeline
Martin Scorsese presented the film Rhino Season in 2012.
Trees Are Watching held its premiere in September 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The integration of generative AI into high-profile independent cinema reflects a broader shift toward automated visual production. This development highlights the ongoing tension in Hollywood between traditional filmmaking techniques and rapidly advancing synthetic media tools.
Viewers can expect increased dialogue regarding the transparency of AI usage in future film releases. The project's premiere at major festivals dictates the initial availability for audiences interested in evaluating these visual effects firsthand.
The takeaway
The use of generative AI in this film highlights the growing need for industry-wide standards regarding creative credit and disclosure. Audiences should be prepared for more experimental projects that test the boundaries of traditional visual effects.
Further reading
Explore more projects and industry trends in Arthouse.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ComingSoon.
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