Fake World

A project decades in the making — Fake World brings Genetic Error’s longtime mascot out of the sketchbook and into a chaotic, photorealistic reality. Directed by Luc Leclerc, the video combines raw metal attitude with cutting-edge AI generation, transforming hand-drawn imagery into a living commentary on our increasingly artificial world.

---

Genetic Error is a cult crossover band from Trois-Rivières, Québec, active since the late 80s and known for their politically charged lyrics and uncompromising sound. After reforming in recent years, the band returned with Fake World — their first full-length album in nearly 30 years.

Leclerc, who grew up listening to the band and even covered one of their tracks with his project Gloom Influx, seized the chance to direct the music video for the title track. With the emergence of OpenAI’s Sora video generation technology, it finally became possible to reinterpret the band’s grotesque mascot (originally designed by Martin Giraldeau) as a lifelike digital character.



The resulting film weaves absurdist humor and uncomfortable realism into a narrative that follows the mascot’s rise and inevitable collapse — a darkly funny allegory for the illusions we chase, consume, and discard. From environmental destruction to beauty standards to hyper-commercialism, the imagery pushes satire into visually extreme territory, exactly where thrash metal thrives.

Creative & Technical Approach

Fake World leverages generative AI not as a novelty, but as a creative amplifier. Original illustrations served as the backbone of the production, with AI tools extending their visual identity into motion and transforming the mascot into a character capable of expressing discomfort, confusion, ego, and downfall. The digital workflow accelerated experimentation, enabling rapid evolution of scenes while staying faithful to the spirit of Giraldeau’s artwork.

Artistic Context

At the intersection of metal’s rebellious energy and emergent digital cinema, Fake World highlights how AI can carry cultural heritage forward — honoring a band’s legacy while opening up absurd and subversive new ways to experience it. The project stands as a vivid example of technology becoming a collaborator in satire, critique, and expression — not a replacement for creative instinct.