Popular Filipino director Joel Lamangan expressed concerns about the bleak future of cinema, stating that directors and actors might be replaced by artificial intelligence.

Lamangan made the grim forecast about the cinema during the grand press conference for the upcoming drama "Fatherland" under BenTria Productions held at the Manila Hotel on March 25.

"With the artificial intelligence (AI), maaaring mawala na ang writer or director. Pwedeng mawala na rin ang mga artista. Pero hindi pa naman ngayon pero maaaring mangyari yun. Nag-iiba na ang pag-gawa ng konsepto sa pelikula. (With artificial intelligence (AI), the writer or director may disappear. The actors may also disappear. But it's not yet, but it could happen. The way film concepts are created is different)," Lamangan said when asked about the future of cinema.

Although he did not use any AI techniques in his latest movie, the famed director expressed concern about the potential loss of the distinct voice of Filipino films due to technological innovations.

"Ang kinakatakot ko lang ay ang mawalan ng boses ang Pilipino dahil iba na ang gumagawa ng pelikula. Hindi na Pilipino ang gumagawa. (My only fear is that Filipinos will lose their voice because other people are making films. It's no longer Filipinos who are making them.)

"Artificial intelligence na ang gumagawa. Hindi ba ang artificial intelligence, nagagawa nilang pagsalitain ang pictures ninyo sa Facebook? Kumakanta na ang mga pictures sa Facebook. Maaaring pumunta na tayo roon. (Artificial intelligence is capable of making your Facebook pictures speak, and also sing. Have you noticed this trend?)

"Pwedeng mawala na ako pati na rin ang artista. Artificial intelligence na ang nandoon. Maaring matagal pa yun pero pwedeng pumunta na tayo roon. (I could be gone, as could the artists. Artificial intelligence would be there. It might take a while, but we could go there)," Lamangan explained.

The director noted that the era of film studios producing big-budget movies for months is over.

"Some projects are big in concept and story. Meron pa bang mga ganun? Kaunti na lang. Yung mga malalaking pelikulang ginagawa ko noon wala ng gumagawa nun ngayon. (Some projects have grand concepts and storytelling. Are there still projects like that? Only a few remain.)

"At saka ang shooting days ngayon hindi na 31 calendar days. Seven days, five days, four days. Meron nga three days lang or two days lang.

"Noon maraming araw na nakalaan para sa mga artistic na pelikula. Hindi na ngayon. May mga gumagawa pa rin ng mga ganung pelikula pero hindi na kasing dami noong araw. (Back then, there were many days reserved for artistic films. Not anymore. There are still people making those kinds of films, but not as many as there were back then)," Lamangan realized.

Lamangan praised Engr. Benjie Austria for producing "Fatherland" and referred to him as the most generous producer he has ever met.

The director disclosed that Austria was not the initial producer for "Fatherland," as the original producer withdrew from the project due to financial difficulties.

Austria stated that his passion for movies drew him to produce films despite the unstable situation in the local entertainment industry. He said his primary motivation was to help, not the return on investment (ROI).

"Nangarap talaga ako na one day, makakapag-produce ako ng pelikula. Na-inspire ako noong napanood ko ang 'Himala.' Pangarap lang talaga ang magproduce at ngayon natupad na. Determined talaga ako na maging producer. Ibigay naman ni Lord. (I really dreamed that one day, I would be able to produce a movie. I was inspired when I watched 'Himala.' Producing was just a dream and now it has come true. I am really determined to become a producer. God willing)," Austria noted.

In 2022, Austria produced his first movie, "Broken Blooms," starring Jeric Gonzales. Louie Ignacio directed the award-winning film.

On working with Austria, movie line producer Dennis Evangelista said: "He's the No. 1 producer I've worked with. Sorry na lang sa iba. Nakita ko sa kanya ang pagiging selfless. Pantay-pantay ang tingin niya sa tao at walang tinitignan kung sino ang mataas o mababa. Sana dumami ang katulad niya. (I'm sorry to the others. I saw in him selflessness. He treats people equally and doesn't look at anyone as superior or inferior. I hope there are more like him.)"

"This is my passion. But for now nag-eenjoy ako lalo na kung maganda ang pelikula," Austria responded when asked if he sees himself staying in the industry for a longer period.

The businessman added: "Thankful ako na nakapag produce ako ng mga movies na walang aberya at smooth lahat. Hands-on talaga ako sa mga project ko. Gusto ko itrato sila ng tama sa mga tao. Ako kahit na konti lang ang pera ko, I will share it. Gusto ko magpasaya ng mga tao. Aanhin mo naman ang money kung greedy ka? Sana tulungan natin ang Philippine movie industry. (I'm thankful that I was able to produce movies that were flawless and smooth. I'm really hands-on with my projects. I want to treat people right. Even if I only have a little money, I will share it. I want to make people happy. What's the point of money if you're greedy? I hope we can help the Philippine movie industry.)

Produced by BenTria Productions and Heaven's Best Entertainment,  "Fatherland" is led by young actor Inigo Pascual, who portrays a son searching for his father. The film also stars Allen Dizon, Cherry Pie Picache, Mercedes Cabral, Angel Aquino, Ara Mina, Max Eigenmann, Jeric Gonzales, Arabella Davao, Yasser Marta, Kazel Kinouchi, Abed Green, Jim Pebanco, Richard Yap, and Bo Bautista. The movie opens nationwide on April 19.