Kenneth Glad
Old movies freeze famous faces in time forever. People get used to seeing classic stars exactly as they were decades ago, safely tucked away in history. But modern technology has found a way to pull the past directly into the present.
Hollywood’s golden age just received a digital update. It comes from a surprising place. A new advert for the Swedish industrial company SKF features a truly unexpected star.
The face on screen belongs to Greta Garbo. The actor died decades ago, but she has returned to the screen to talk about ball bearings, writes The Guardian.
This strange casting choice relies entirely on artificial intelligence, and the startling final results have left her own family completely stunned.
Flabbergasted by the tech
Craig Reisfield helps manage his great aunt’s legacy. He told the newspaper that the digital recreation caught him completely off guard:
“I was totally impressed: the mannerisms that they could capture and manipulate, her dress, facial images and even her voice.”
The creators built her likeness using text prompts instead of copyrighted photos. They overlaid this generated image onto a human actor. To finish the illusion, they pulled her vintage voice from an early film recording.
“It was startling what they could do and very impactful. And it was touching, from my perspective having known her,” Reisfield added.
Ready for a comeback
The SKF advert marks a full circle moment. Garbo actually appeared in a promotional film for the exact same company back in 1921.
Now, her digital revival is sparking bigger questions about her cinematic future. Her family might actually allow a full movie return.
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“I won’t say no, especially having seen what I’ve seen. It’s pretty incredible and lifelike. So what’s to say that you can’t bring Greta Garbo back in some kind of fashion in a film role?” Reisfield explained.
Breaking new ground
Bringing deceased actors back sparks intense debate. Yet her descendants believe the silent film star would embrace this digital medium.
Reisfield noted her history of pushing boundaries. “She was at the forefront of cinema in the silent film era. She made the transition to ‘talkies’ and dominated box office receipts.”
In the advert, the generated star complains that lost energy is a terrible waste. But she signs off with her most famous line from the 1932 classic Grand Hotel. “I want to be alone.”
Sources: The Guardian, SKF / YouTube
