Snowman Productions single explores interpreting pig language through tech with Miki Mistrati directing

If Pigs Could Talk

If Pigs Could Talk

The indie behind Married at First Sight has teamed up which Stacey Dooley Investigates: Kids Selling Drugs Online creative Miki Mistrati for a documentary in which scientists attempt to decipher the language of pigs through AI technology.

Copenhagen-based Snowman Productions’ If Pigs Could Talk (1 x 75 minutes) follows a group of scientists as they use AI tech to translate pigs’ grunts, squeals and snorts into human language for the first time.

The experiment aims to give new insight into the ethics of pig farming and challenge the pork industry.

Former Perfect Storm founder and creative director Mistrati, who is from Denmark, is to direct the doc two years after he left his indie.

Seven.One Studios International, the distribution arm of Snowman owner Seven.One Studios, has picked up the global rights to the doc, and is also selling a 60-minute version. The doc has been made for German broadcasters ARD and NDR, Nordic PSBs DR, NRK and SVT, and RTS in Switzerland.

Seven.One Studios International managing director Tim Gerhartz said: “If Pigs Could Talk is a truly fascinating and unique documentary. Not only does it enable us to understand the language of these animals for the first time, but it has the potential to change the way we think about animal farming on a broader scale.

“It also effectively showcases the power of AI technology. We are sure this is a show that will interest and engage broadcasters and viewers around the world.”

Mistrati was creative director at Danish company TI Media from 2016-2020 and before that spent six years at media company JP/Politikens Hus. As a director, his credits include The Dark Side of Chocolate while he has produced a raft of UK PSB docs including BBC1’s Stacey Dooley Investigates, BBC3’s Inside the Real Saudi Arabia: Why I Had to Leave, Channel 4’s How Safe Are Your Medicines?

As well as creating worldwide hit Married At First Sight for DR3/DR1, Snowman is behind formats including Stranded on Honeymoon Island (VTM2) and Discovery’s reality show How to Become Superhuman.