AH! Production and Balanga join forces on docs with AI recreations

AI scene from RMC Découverte’s Odysseus: The First Hero

French prodco AH! Production and distributor Balanga are partnering to develop, finance and distribute a slate of history and science documentaries featuring AI-assisted recreations.

The partnership covers what the two companies are calling “new-generation documentaries” that bring together “compelling narratives, rigorous historical and scientific research and cinematic AI-assisted recreations.”

The initial 15-hour slate comprises 10 projects, including one-off specials and series, with French broadcast partners already secured. Radio-Canada has also come on board with a commitment to pre-buy five hours of programming.

Among the projects are Alexander the Great: The Art of Conquest, which examines how logistics, engineering and strategic vision powered one of history’s greatest military conquests, and The Titanic Orphans, which tells the story of two young survivors of the sinking whose mysterious identity captivated the world. The latter will debut next year in line with the 30th anniversary of James Cameron’s film Titanic.

Also on the slate are Jules Verne: The Science of Adventure, a three-part series exploring the scientific revolutions behind Verne’s visionary worlds, which will coincide with the bicentenary of his birth in 2028, and El Niño: The Climate Giant, an investigation into the invisible oceanic and atmospheric forces behind one of Earth’s most powerful climate phenomena.

Enora Contant, head of documentaries at AH! Production, said: “With AI, documentary filmmaking is experiencing more than a revival. It’s a revolution, opening up entirely new visual possibilities to inform and entertain audiences. It may even hold one of the keys to the future of the genre.

“Our films need to reach the widest possible audience across borders. And with domestic budgets under pressure, international financing has become essential. That’s what our partnership with Balanga is all about: bringing together creative ambition and international reach to open up new possibilities for our documentaries.”

Christophe Bochnacki, president of Balanga, added: “AI is a game changer for historical documentaries, allowing us to bring to life stories and worlds that were previously beyond the reach of traditional documentary budgets. But one principle remains unchanged: technology must always serve the story.

“Above all, I see an exciting opportunity for European independent producers to take a leading role in shaping this new generation of documentaries.”

AH! Production and Balanga previously worked together on Beasts of the Colosseum, which has sold to a host of broadcasters across Europe including Mediaset in Italy, Germany’s ZDF and Sweden’s SVT. The pair also teamed up for Odysseus: The First Hero for RMC Découverte in France.