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Recode Daily

Did Anthony Bourdain say that?

Recode Daily

Recode

Society & Culture, Science, Technology

4.61.3K Ratings

🗓️ 22 July 2021

⏱️ 11 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The new documentary Roadrunner takes a look at the life of Anthony Bourdain, the late celebrity chef, author, and travel show host. But one decision by the filmmakers is raising questions: The film uses artificial intelligence to recreate Bourdain’s voice. Vox’s Alissa Wilkinson joins Recode’s Rani Molla to discuss the ethical dilemma the documentary poses. References: Read Alissa’s story here. Enjoyed this episode? Rate Recode Daily ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. What do you want to learn about on Recode Daily? Send your requests and questions to recodedaily@recode.net. We read every email! Subscribe for free. Be the first to hear the next episode of Recode Daily by subscribing in your favorite podcast app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This episode was made by: Host: Rani Molla (@ranimolla) Producer: Alan Rodriguez Espinoza (@ardzes) Engineer: Paul Robert Mounsey Support Recode Daily by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

And they are some our guide for Marmite first timers. First toast your pillowy soft bread.

0:08.0

Push that.

0:10.0

Liberally spread that butter. Stroke that Marmite open.

0:16.0

Dip that knife and spread that. Don't overload.

0:22.0

And taste that. Marmite. Love it.

0:27.0

Hate it. Get it on.

0:35.0

This week we got a new documentary looking back at the life of late chef and writer Anthony Bourdain.

0:44.0

Reviews are still coming in but there's one part of the film that's raising eyebrows.

0:48.0

There's a moment in the film where David Cho, an artist in front of Bourdain,

0:51.0

starts to read aloud an email from the chef. Then it fades into Anthony's voice.

0:56.0

And here's the thing, Anthony Bourdain never read that email. His voice in the scene was recreated with AI by the film's producers.

1:02.0

The technique is ethically questionable and has started a conversation around how media continues to portray those who have passed away.

1:08.0

Joining me is Alyssa Wilkinson, Vox's film critic. She recently reviewed the documentary. Alyssa, thanks for joining us.

1:14.0

Thanks for having me.

1:16.0

So let's start with the people behind the documentary. Who are they?

1:19.0

The director of Roadrunner is Morgan Neville and most people might have run into his work previously

1:25.0

from Won't You Be My Neighbor, the documentary about Mr. Rogers, that a lot of people saw a few years ago.

1:31.0

He also made 20 feet from Stardom.

1:34.0

One thing I really have always appreciated about Morgan's work is that he's really good at finding the cultural significance of particular figures or particular events

1:43.0

and turning them into a film that is really enjoyable to watch.

1:48.0

Does Neville achieve that effect in his latest project?

1:51.0

I think he does. I think that for the most part this film is very successful.

...

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