Artist Spends 12 Years Remaking 'Titanic' Shot-for-Shot

Claudia Bitrán's DIY remake of the 1997 blockbuster is sailing into New York.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Chilean artist Claudia Bitrán has spent over a decade remaking the 1997 film 'Titanic' shot-for-shot, recruiting over 1,400 collaborators to help with the project. Bitrán's lo-fi version, which uses a variety of mediums including drawing, painting, performance, and sculpture, is set to premiere in New York at the Cristin Tierney Gallery. The artist's reimagining features a rotating cast of characters, handmade special effects, and scenes played out in multiple languages, aiming to deconstruct and reinterpret the iconic film.

Why it matters

Bitrán's 'Titanic, A Deep Emotion' project reflects her long-standing fascination with the original film and her desire to engage broader audiences outside the art world. By reinterpreting a beloved pop culture classic through an artistic lens, the work offers a unique perspective on the film's enduring legacy and cultural impact.

The details

Bitrán set out specific rules for her remake, including playing the role of Rose herself while casting a rotating ensemble of actors as the other characters. All special effects were created by hand using recycled materials, and the scenes were performed in various languages. The artist's choices, such as casting a woman as Jack in the film's pivotal first meeting, were intended to cultivate empathy and reframe the narrative.

  • Bitrán began work on the project over 12 years ago.
  • The remake will have its New York premiere at the Cristin Tierney Gallery from February 20 to March 28, 2026.

The players

Claudia Bitrán

A Chilean artist who has spent over a decade remaking the 1997 film 'Titanic' shot-for-shot, recruiting over 1,400 collaborators to help with the project.

Cristin Tierney Gallery

The New York gallery that will be hosting the premiere of Bitrán's 'Titanic, A Deep Emotion' remake.

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What they’re saying

“I really love to make work that broad audiences outside the art world can relate to, understand, or follow.”

— Claudia Bitrán, Artist (artnet.com)

“I know Titanic by heart. I've seen it a million times.”

— Claudia Bitrán, Artist (artnet.com)

“Kate Winslet was criticized for her body at that time and I had a similar body type. I felt for her and I kind of lived through her, through that criticism, in the same way I lived with Britney through hers.”

— Claudia Bitrán, Artist (artnet.com)

“Even though the movie's done, I think that I'm still going to be this person that lives through that movie. I've seen the world this way since I saw it when I was 10. It's like the thing that will always be there.”

— Claudia Bitrán, Artist (artnet.com)

What’s next

Bitrán is currently working on a documentary about the 'Titanic, A Deep Emotion' project and is seeking financial support to complete it.

The takeaway

Bitrán's ambitious 12-year remake of 'Titanic' demonstrates the power of artistic reinterpretation to engage broader audiences and offer new perspectives on beloved pop culture classics. Her DIY approach and personal connection to the film's themes highlight the enduring cultural impact of the original work.