Warner Music has partnered with the Estate of Edith Piaf for a project that will tap AI technology to recreate the legendary chanteuse’s voice and image for an animated biopic. Warner Music Entertainment and production company Seriously Happy will develop the film, which will tell the story of how Piaf overcame struggles to become a symbol of female empowerment and one of France’s most iconic performers.
“Edith is one of France’s greatest ever artists and she is still a source of so much pride to the French people,” said Alain Veille, CEO, Warner Music France. “It is such a delicate balancing act when combining new technology with heritage artists, and it was imperative to us that we worked closely with Edith’s estate and handled this project with the utmost respect. Her story is one that deserves to be told, and through this film we’ll be able to connect with a whole new audience and inspire a new generation of fans.”
Catherine Glavas and Christie Laume, Executors of Edith Piaf’s Estate, commented, “It’s been a special and touching experience to be able to hear Edith’s voice once again — the technology has made it feel like we were back in the room with her. The animation is beautiful and through this film we’ll be able to show the real side of Edith — her joyful personality, her humor and her unwavering spirit.”
AI technology trained on hundreds of voice clips and images, some of which are over 80 years old, will perform a digital resurrection to, the studio says, further enhance the authenticity and emotional impact of her story. Recordings from her original songs will be used, including classics such as “La Vie en rose” and “Non, je ne regrette rien.” A proof of concept has been created, and WME will be partnering with another studio to develop the feature film.
Titled Edith, the project is planned a a 90-minute film which will take place in the cities of Paris and New York from the 1920s to 1960s. The film will be narrated by Piaf’s recreated voice and will uncover aspects of her life that were previously unknown — showcasing her indomitable spirit, personal achievements and incredible performances. The animation will be augmented with the inclusion of archival footage, stage and TV performances, personal footage and TV interviews to provide audiences with an authentic look at the significant moments of Piaf’s life.
The film is based on an original idea from Julie Veille and has been written by Veille and Gilles Marliac. The pair are working alongside Warner Music Entertainment’s President, Charlie Cohen, to bring the project to fruition.
A great star in her own era, Piaf (born Édith Giovanna Gassion, 1915-1963) still resonates with millions of fans around the world. Her songs have been used in blockbuster movies and international series, global ad campaigns, as well as generating nearly 300 streams on digital music platforms to date. The artist is also recognized as someone who defied societal norms, a symbol of female empowerment in the 20th century.
“It has been the greatest privilege to work alongside Edith’s Estate to help bring her story into the 21st century,” said Julie Veille. “When creating the film, we kept asking ourselves, ‘If Edith were still with us, what messages would she want to convey to the younger generations?’ Her story is one of incredible resilience, of overcoming struggles, and defying social norms to achieve greatness — and one that is as relevant now as it was then. Our goal is to utilize the latest advancements in animation and technology to bring the timeless story to audiences of all ages.”
